Seattle Hopes To Deflect Hepatitis-A

Local health officials, trying to prevent Spokane’s hepatitis-A outbreak from spreading here, met Friday to discuss plans for an education campaign that will encourage food service workers to wash their hands frequently and to wear gloves.

The city-county health board also is discussing a plan to encourage food service workers to be vaccinated against the disease. The county and restaurants could help pay the cost.

Hepatitis-A is a virus that causes symptoms similar to a severe stomach flu.

The number of cases in the Seattle area increased from 155 in 1995 to 441 last year. In the first two months of this year, there have been 98 cases.