HEPATITIS A VIRUS

Shots still available for expo attendees

County health officials provided hepatitis A vaccinations and immune globulin shots to 98 people at a special clinic on Saturday.

Officials said individuals possibly exposed to the hepatitis A virus at the recent Global Gaming Expo have until Wednesday to receive a vaccination and immune globulin.

Shots again will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at the Ravenholt Public Health Center, 625 Shadow Lane.

Wednesday is the last day shots will be available because the treatment no longer will be effective after that date, officials said.

Clark County Health District officials estimate 1,000 people served ice cream from the Schwan's Food Service booth during the Sept. 13-15 convention are at risk of contracting the virus. Officials are attempting to notify all 26,000 conventioneers to warn them of the risk of exposure.

Those who have had hepatitis A or have been vaccinated against the virus are not at risk.

Hepatitis A is a virus that results in inflammation of the liver. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and malaise, dark-colored urine, and yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.

Two to three out of every 1,000 people who contract the disease die from it, said a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For information, call the health district at 759-1300 and press 5.


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