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Officials report festival hepatitis A case, urge vaccination

Posted at 1:31 PM, Sep 14, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-14 13:31:40-04

HOLLY, Mich. (AP) — Health officials say a person who attended the Michigan Renaissance Festival this month was ill with hepatitis A and they’re recommending that anyone who may have been exposed get vaccinated.

The Oakland County Health Division announced Thursday the person was at the festival in suburban Detroit on Sept. 1. Health officials say anyone who was attending the Holly-area event or working at the festival on Sept. 1 should get the hepatitis A vaccine by this Saturday. Those who were there on Sept. 2 should do so by Sunday and on Sept. 3 by Monday.

Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for the Health Division, says vaccination can prevent hepatitis A if given within 14 days after potential exposure. The Health Division is hosting hepatitis A vaccine clinics Friday and Saturday.

The disease attacks the liver and causes symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, fever and jaundice.