Hepatitis A health alert issued for Gympie region amid confirmed case

The Sunshine Coast Hospital has issued a health alert after confirming a case of hepatitis A in a person that lives and works in the Gympie region.

The Sunshine Coast Hospital has issued a health alert after confirming a case of hepatitis A in a person that lives and works in the Gympie region. Picture: Christine Schindler

The Sunshine Coast Hospital has issued a health alert after a confirming a case of hepatitis A in a person that lives in Gympie and works at the Gympie RSL.

Health authorities are encouraging everyone who may have been to the Gympie RSL since July 2023 to monitor their health and that of their family for hepatitis A symptoms.

The Sunshine Coast Hospital has issued a health alert after confirming a case of hepatitis A in a person that lives and works in the Gympie region. Picture: Christine Schindler

Hepatitis A is an acute viral infection, which can be spread from person to person by the faecal-oral route, a statement from the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service Public Unit said.

“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 Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit are working closely with the RSL management and contacting all known persons exposed to the case while potentially infectious and who are at high risk of developing hepatitis A.

Chronic liver disease viral hepatitis infection, hepatitis viruses in infected organism, 3d illustration

“We encourage those who have been to the Gympie RSL since July 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 time between when a person is exposed to the virus to when they may develop symptoms averages 4 weeks, with a range of 2 – 7 weeks.”

The best ways to prevent the spread of hepatitis A is:

Good hygiene and high hand washing standards.

Not presenting to work or childcare while 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)

Originally published as Hepatitis A health alert issued for Gympie region amid confirmed case