The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports since the hepatitis A outbreaks were first identified in 2016, more than 17,000 cases and 170 deaths as a result of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection have been reported.

Last year, Florida became one of the 20-something states reporting an outbreak and so far this year, the numbers continue to rise.

What is hepatitis A and what is the situation in Florida?

Joining me on the show to discuss this is Andrea Leapley, MPH. Andrea is the Regional Epidemiologist & Laboratory Liason with the Bureau of Epidemiology at the Florida Department of Health.