Hepatitis A infection among persons experiencing homelessness and persons who use drugs

View alerts, advisories, hepatitis A vaccination resources, and download educational materials to use to respond to hepatitis A cases and outbreaks.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) ranging in severity from mild infection lasting a few weeks to severe disease lasting several months. HAV is primarily spread person-to-person through the fecal-oral transmission route. Symptoms of acute HAV infection may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or sclera), dark urine, clay-colored stool, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and malaise. Affected populations include individuals experiencing homelessness and persons who use drugs.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) works with local stakeholders to investigate and respond to hepatitis A cases and support vaccination of vulnerable populations in accordance with recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Regulations require healthcare providers and institutions in Massachusetts to report all cases of HAV infection to DPH or to local public health departments. Cases may be reported to the DPH Epidemiology Division at [phone], which is available 24/7 or to the local board of health.

Alerts and advisories

• DPH Clinical Advisory: Hepatitis A Among Persons Experiencing Homelessness and Who Use Injection and Non-injection Drugs
• National HAV Data on Outbreaks

Clinical resources for hepatitis A

Clinical resources for hepatitis A vaccine 

Educational materials

English

• Hepatitis A General Poster (PDF) | (DOC)
• Hepatitis A Poster with Clinical Information (PDF) | (DOC)
• Hepatitis A Poster with Infographic (PDF) | (DOC)
• Hepatitis A Handout (PDF) | (DOC)
• Hepatitis A Handwashing Poster (PDF) | (DOC)

Spanish

• Hepatitis A General Poster - Spanish (PDF) | (DOC)
• Hepatitis A Poster with Clinical Information - Spanish (PDF) | (DOC)
• Hepatitis A Poster with Infographic - Spanish (PDF) | (DOC)
• Hepatitis A Handout - Spanish (PDF) | (DOC)
• Hepatitis A Handwashing Poster - Spanish (PDF) | (DOC)

Portuguese

• Hepatitis A General Poster - Portuguese (PDF) | (DOC)
• Hepatitis A Poster with Clinical Information - Portuguese (PDF) | (DOC)
• Hepatitis A Poster with Infographic - Portuguese (PDF) | (DOC)
• Hepatitis A Handout - Portuguese (PDF) |  (DOC)
• Hepatitis A Handwashing Poster - Portuguese (PDF) | (DOC)

2018-2020 outbreak data summaries and alerts

• HAV Data Summary (DOCX)
• Advisory for Acute Treatment Services October 15, 2019 (DOC) 
• MDPH HAV Emergency Department Advisory (PDF) | (DOC)
• Public Health Alert: Hepatitis A Virus Infection in Persons Experiencing Homelessness and Substance Use Disorder in Massachusetts