80 Cases of Hepatitis A at USC Investigated
Los Angeles County health officials are investigating an outbreak of about 80 cases of hepatitis A at USC in late November and early December.
Dr. Laurene Mascola, deputy chief of acute infectious diseases for the county Department of Health Services, said the infectious liver ailment had struck mostly students, but some staff members had also been afflicted.
All of the cases seem to have been related to exposure to the hepatitis A virus in late October. Department officials cautioned that it is too soon to say how many more cases are likely to occur.
Hepatitis A is spread by direct contact with an infected person or through fecal contamination of food or water. The infection occurs most often in children and young adults. It is usually followed by complete recovery.
Symptoms include fever, fatigue, stomach upset and jaundice. To try and prevent infection, gamma globulin injections are usually recommended for cohabitants and sexual partners of infected individuals.
More than 1,400 hepatitis A cases were reported to Los Angeles County health officials in 1988, Mascola said.
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