Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) strongly recommends those who attended
and worked the festival on September 1, September 2, and September 3 get a
hepatitis A vaccine if they have not been vaccinated. 

Those who attended on:

September 1 can be protected if they receive vaccination by Saturday,
September 15.
September 2 can be protected if they receive vaccination by Sunday, September
16.
September 3 can be protected if they receive vaccination by Monday, September
17.
Please note Oakland County Health Division is not open on Sunday, September
16th.  The hepatitis A vaccine is also available through some healthcare
providers and many pharmacies. Call ahead to ensure your provider or pharmacy
has the vaccine available.

The Michigan Renaissance Festival has added additional handwashing stations
in an abundance of caution, and continues working with OCHD. 

Sept. 13, 2018, Pontiac, Mich.  Oakland County Health Division was alerted
this evening that an attendee of the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly,
MI has a confirmed case of hepatitis A and was ill while attending the
festival on September 1. It is strongly recommended that those attending and
working the festival on September 1 and September 2 get a hepatitis A vaccine
by Saturday, September 15, if they have not been vaccinated.

"Vaccination can prevent the disease if given within 14 days after potential
exposure," said Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for the Health Division.
"If you have attended the Michigan Renaissance Festival during these dates
and have not been vaccinated for hepatitis A or have a sudden onset of any
symptoms, contact your doctor."

Attendees unable to get vaccinated by September 15, are advised to be aware
of hepatitis A symptoms such as sudden abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea,
headache, dark urine, and/or vomiting often followed by yellowing of the skin
and eyes (jaundice). Symptoms may appear from 14-50 days after exposure, but
average about one month.

Oakland County's Nurse on Call hotline, 1-800-848-5533, will be open on
Friday, September 14th from 8:30 a.m.  7:00 p.m. to answer calls. The Health
Division will also host a special Hepatitis A vaccine clinic:

Friday, September 14, 8:30 a.m.  7 p.m. at the North Oakland Health Center,
1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, Pontiac.
Saturday, September 15, 10 a.m.  2 p.m. at the North Oakland Health Center,
1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, Pontiac.
"We are still experiencing a serious, ongoing hepatitis A outbreak both
locally and statewide. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can
range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting
several months," said Stafford. "Vaccination, good hygiene, and proper
sanitation of surfaces can prevent the spread of hepatitis A."

The hepatitis A vaccine is also available through some healthcare providers
and many pharmacies. Call ahead to ensure your provider or pharmacy has the
vaccine available. Vaccines are available at both Health Division offices in
Pontiac and Southfield at the following addresses:

North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, Pontiac
South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield
Regular clinic hours are Mondays, noon  8 p.m. and Tuesdays through Fridays,
8:30 a.m.  5 p.m. Pre-payment and registration are not available at these
walk-in clinics.

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. The virus is shed
in feces and is most commonly spread from person to person by unclean hands
contaminated with feces. To reduce the risk of hepatitis A:

Get the hepatitis A vaccine.
Wash hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers,
and before preparing and eating food. Rub hands vigorously with soap and warm
running water for at least 20 seconds.
Clean and disinfect all surface areas, especially while someone in the
household or workplace has symptoms. Particular care needs to be taken with
areas such as toilets, sinks, trash, door knobs, and faucet handles.
Do not prepare food if you have symptoms and refrain from food preparation
for at least three days after symptoms have ended.
Exclude ill food service workers from the establishment immediately until
clearance from OCHD is received.
The hepatitis A vaccine consists of two doses, given six months apart and
costs $52 per adult dose and $38 per child dose. No one will be denied access
to services due to inability to pay. A discounted / sliding fee schedule is
available. Everyone will be assessed for eligibility for free vaccine through
the adult vaccine program.

If you have insurance, check with your healthcare/insurance provider for
possible benefit coverage. The Health Division participates in the Vaccines
for Children (VFC) Program which offers vaccines at no cost for eligible
children up to 18-years-old. Payment options include cash and credit card.
Credit card fees apply. Bring all insurance and identification cards to the
clinic.

For more information about hepatitis A, visit www.oakgov.com/health. Nurse
on Call is available at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com, Monday through Friday,
8:30 a.m.  5:00 p.m. For up-to-date public health information, follow
@publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY: Please contact Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer
for Oakland County Health Division, at 248-858-1410.
https://www.oakgov.com/health/news/Pages/UPDATE---Hepatitis-A-Exposure-at-
the-
Michigan-Renaissance-Festival-.aspx

6 responses total.

I feel dirty thinking about the Renaissance festival. This validates it.

Diapers in the pickle bucket is my wager

*licks forefinger and raises it to the sky*

*sniff* is someone cooking bacon?

*rattle cough*

Rattle cough is the MO of every Tammy from Roseville.

NOOOoooooo!!
*runs across open field*

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