The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced this week that the state has surpassed 1,000 reported cases of hepatitis A.
Those numbers are associated with a national outbreak that began in April 2017. Sixty-three percent of the cases have required hospitalization and 16 people have died.
Hepatitis A causes an inflammation of the liver that can range from mild to severe. According to NCDHHS, it's usually transmitted through food or water that has been contaminated with small, undetectable amounts of feces from a contagious person.
Symptoms include fever, fatigue, and nausea. Jaundice of the skin and eyes and dark-colored urine can also occur.
NCDHHS says the best way to protect yourself against hepatitis A is through vaccination. Hand-washing is also important, as well as syringe service programs.
The vaccine is available for free at all local health departments to those in high-risk groups, including people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness and men who have sex with men.
Since January of this year, 495 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A have been reported in North Carolina.
Wednesday, July 28, is World Hepatitis Day and state health officials hope to raise awareness about the issue.