Southern Nevada Health District Hepatitis a Clinic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 26, 2005

LAS VEGAS – Sept. 24, 2005 – The Southern Nevada Health District provided hepatitis A vaccinations and immune globulin to 98 individuals who attended a special clinic today. The clinic was offered to persons who attended the Global Gaming Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center and who may have been exposed to hepatitis A through an infected individual who served ice cream at Schwan’s Food Service booth.

Only those who were served ice cream at this booth are at risk for exposure. The individual serving the product is considered the source of possible exposure and not the ice cream product.

The early identification of this individual provided the health district a unique opportunity to notify attendees who may have come into contact with food product handled by this person and offer preventive treatment. Immune globulin can be administered up to 14 days after the exposure. The health district clinic will be open again on Sunday, September 25, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Ravenholt Public Health Center at 625 Shadow Lane. The preventive treatment will also be available Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday is the last day the immune globulin would be effective in preventing possible illness. Persons attending the clinic are being screened to ensure they were potentially exposed before being offered treatment. Anyone who has previously had hepatitis A or has been vaccinated for hepatitis A is immune and therefore not at risk for getting the disease.

Hepatitis A is a disease caused by a virus that results in inflammation of the liver. Initial symptoms are usually fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and malaise. This is usually followed by dark colored urine and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). While the illness can be serious, most people feel better after one or two weeks.

For more information on hepatitis A, or the circumstances of exposure at this conference, call (702) 759-1300 and press option #5.

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The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.