At least 31 cases of Hepatitis A infection have been confirmed on Oahu, according to a July 6 announcement from the Hawaii State Department of Health. That’s up 19 from the initial case count of 12 reported July 1. Six people have been hospitalized. Unvaccinated individuals recently exposed to the virus are encouraged to talk to their health care providers about preventive measures. Health officials encourage the public to review their immunization record and talk to their doctors about vaccination. A list of Hawaii pharmacies providing adult vaccinations is available online, or by calling the Aloha United Way information and referral line at 2-1-1. Park said that while Hawaii doesn’t yet have a universal vaccination registration system, anecdotal information indicates that the current outbreak has prompted some residents to ask about getting Hepatitis A vaccinations. “We have heard more questions about it, but I hope the message is getting out there and people are getting it,” she said. “We are such a global village now. When you think how the Hepatitis A vaccine was brought on initially, it was only recommended for high-risk individuals. Now it’s universal and there is no such thing as a high-risk population.” While vaccination provides the best protection from Hepatitis A infection, other ways to help prevent the spread of the virus include frequent hand washing with soap and warm water, especially after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, and before preparing food. Additional information about Hepatitis A can be found on the Department of Health website. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)