Hepatitis A

111 cases in 2024 — near the 5-year baseline of ~478.

What is it?

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). NYS had 111 cases in 2024. Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease — most people recover fully. Recent US outbreaks have primarily affected people experiencing homelessness, people who use drugs, and close contacts of infected individuals.

How it spreads

Spreads when a person unknowingly ingests microscopic amounts of feces from an infected person. This occurs through contaminated food or water, close personal contact, or sex with an infected person. Food workers who are infected can cause large outbreaks.

Symptoms

Fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes). Symptoms last a few weeks to several months. Older adults tend to have more severe illness.

Who is at risk?

Travelers to countries with high hepatitis A rates; people who use drugs (injection or non-injection); men who have sex with men; people experiencing homelessness; those with chronic liver disease or clotting disorders; unvaccinated household contacts of infected individuals.

What you can do

Vaccine information

Two-dose hepatitis A vaccine provides lifelong protection. Recommended for all children at age 1, travelers to endemic areas, men who have sex with men, people who use drugs, and people with chronic liver disease.

Based on NYSDOH annual communicable disease report. Threat level reflects 2024 case counts compared to the 5-year baseline.