Nova Scotia health officials confirm outbreak of hepatitis A

03.aug.06
CP Wire/ The Chronicle-Herald (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

LOWER SACKVILLE, N.S.-- Seven people in Lower Sackville have, according to these stories, contracted hepatitis A in an outbreak that has affected a student at Hillside Park Elementary School.

Russ Conway, 37, one of the seven recently diagnosed with the virus, was cited as saying he began experiencing flu-like symptoms in mid-July, while on vacation. He went to see his doctor, and was sent to the emergency room, where a series of tests showed that he had contracted hepatitis A.

Conway was further cited as saying public health officials have traced his infection back to a community barbecue he attended almost a month ago, adding, "When I mentioned this area of Sackville that we were doing an outreach in, they stopped me and said: 'We've got our connection. That's where most of the other cases are.'"

Dr. Shelly Sarwal, medical officer of health, was cited as sayingfirst case was identified in early June, said.

More than 60 people who have had close contact with that person and others who have fallen ill have been vaccinated against the liver disease.

But the virus's long incubation period led officials to alert local doctors last week and the public Wednesday.

Sarwal was cited as saying it takes about 30 days for an exposed person to become sick and that person can pass on the virus about two weeks before, and one week after, becoming ill, adding, "One thing about hepatitis A is that people can be infected but not have any symptoms. Before you actually get sick, before you know you're infected, you're contagious.''

Dr. Sarwal also added it’s unlikely investigators will be able to pin down how the first person became infected and that ll seven people, including adults and children, have stayed under the same roof.

Former Hillside Park principal Lloyd Caldwell was cited as saying he learned a student had the virus in early June and that the child was off school sick when the diagnosis was made.
A parent informed the school, and Caldwell said he alerted authorities.