Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Hepatitis A at St. Victor Boogie

If you were at the St. Victor Boogie - this is information you need to know. 
I just got in from Nelson and will be leaving again tomorrow with Rocky's Ride for Diabetes - heading to Edmonton, Red Deer & Drumheller....hope to see you on the way.... 
 
July 5, 2006 
 
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PERSONS who attended the St. Victor Boogie at the Sylvan Valley Regional Park on June 17th and June 18th, 2006 
 
The Five Hills Health Region has been notified of a case of Hepatitis A in a person who attended this event. If you attended this event you may have been exposed to Hepatitis A over the weekend. 
 
If you are aware of other attendees at this event, pleased forward this information to them or have them contact the Health Region directly at the number below. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. 
 
Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver caused by a virus and may present the following symptoms: 
 
● fever 
● loss of appetite 
● dark urine 
● tiredness 
● nausea and vomiting 
● jaundice (yellowing of the skin) 
 
Hepatitis A virus spreads from person to person by the fecal-oral route (ex. not washing your hands after using the bathroom). Hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease. While there is no specific treatment for the infection, supportive care reduces complications. People generally recover from the infection after four to six weeks and once you have had Hepatitis A, you cannot get it again. If you have received two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine in the past you are considered immune to this infection. 
 
Symptoms usually occur within 28 to 35 days after exposure but this time frame can range from 15 to 50 days. If you attended the St. Victor Boogie and are not immune to Hepatitis A, please notify your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the symptoms listed above or if you develop these symptoms on or before August 7, 2006. Take this letter with you to help inform your doctor of the specific details related to your possible exposure to the Hepatitis A virus. There is no need to be tested if you are not having symptoms. 
 
If you require any further information or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact (306) 691-1500 and ask to speak to one of the Communicable Disease Nurses at Public Health. 
 
Professionally yours, 
 
Dr. Khami Chokani, MBBS, DTMH, MPH, FRSTMH 
Medical Health Officer 
for 
Dr. Mark Vooght 
Medical Health Officer 
Five Hills Health Region