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May 10, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Polk County Reports 14 New Cases of Hepatitis A"

Tampa Tribune (www.tampatrib.com) (05/08/02) P. 5

In the past week, 14 new cases of hepatitis A were reported in Polk County, Fla., for a total of 152 cases since the beginning of the year.  According to Polk Health Department director Daniel Haight, none of the new cases were linked to restaurant or food workers; most of the new cases are among drug addicts or individuals who had close contact with drug addicts, he said. Health officials vaccinated 42 people in drug rehabilitation centers and known drug offenders in Polk County Jail last week, Haight said, and 49 additional vaccinations were given to people seeking treatment for sexually transmitted diseases at Health Department clinics.  Polk County reported 163 cases of hepatitis A in 2001.

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