Gympie residents exposed to Hepatitis A case

Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service Public Health Unit issued a statement on Thursday that it was managing a confirmed case of Hepatitis A in a person who lived and was active in the Gympie community.

Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service Public Health Unit issued a statement on Thursday that it was managing a confirmed case of Hepatitis A in a person who lived and was active in the Gympie community.

Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service Public Health Unit issued a statement on Thursday that it was managing a confirmed case of Hepatitis A in a person who lived and was active in the Gympie community.

It said the health unit was in the process of contacting all known persons exposed to the case whilst infectious and who was or might be at high risk of developing Hepatitis A.

“We encourage those who have been in Gympie since 12 May 2023 to monitor their own and their family’s health, and to present to their General Practitioner for testing if you experience symptoms of Hepatitis A,” the statement said.

“Hepatitis A is an acute viral infection, which can be spread from person to person by the faecal-oral route (the faeces of an infectious person have contaminated something that is put into someone else’s mouth).

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“The symptoms of Hepatitis A are fever, gastro, generalised aches and pains, nausea, lack of appetite, and abdominal discomfort. Dark urine is usually the first specific sign of acute Hepatitis A, followed a day or two later by jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) and pale-coloured bowel motions.

“The time between when a person is exposed to the virus to when they may develop symptoms averages four weeks, with a range of 2-7 weeks.

“The best ways to prevent the spread of Hepatitis A is:

“Good hygiene and high handwashing standards.

“Not presenting to work or childcare whilst sick

“Being vaccinated against Hepatitis A

“If you or your child develops any symptoms of Hepatitis A, please go to your General Practitioner or Gympie Emergency Department.”

For further information, please go to Queensland Health website Hepatitis A (health.qld.gov.au)