Hawaii health agency faces challenge in Hepatitis A outbreak

FILE - In this April 5, 2006 file photo, Dr. Sarah Park, deputy chief of the Hawaii Health Department's disease outbreak and control division speaks about the potential bird flu pandemic, at the Honolulu International Airport. Frustrated Hawaii health officials say they have faced a number of challenges trying to identify the source of a hepatitis A outbreak that has affected at least 74 people on the island of Oahu. "It's not as feasible as a lot of people might think," state epidemiologist Dr. Park said of finding the source. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday, July 21, 2016, officials aren't aware of any other outbreaks in the nation or cases that may be connected to Hawaii's outbreak. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman, File) FILE - In this April 5, 2006 file photo, Dr. Sarah Park, deputy chief of the Hawaii Health Department's disease outbreak and control division speaks about the potential bird flu pandemic, at the Honolulu International Airport. Frustrated Hawaii health officials say they have faced a number of challenges trying to identify the source of a hepatitis A outbreak that has affected at least 74 people on the island of Oahu. "It's not as feasible as a lot of people might think," state epidemiologist Dr. Park said of finding the source. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday, July 21, 2016, officials aren't aware of any other outbreaks in the nation or cases that may be connected to Hawaii's outbreak. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman, File)

By Associated Press July 21, 2016 3 min read

HONOLULU (AP) – Frustrated Hawaii health officials say they have faced a number of challenges trying to identify the source of a hepatitis A outbreak that has affected at least 74 people on the island of Oahu.

“It’s not as feasible as a lot of people might think,” state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said of finding the source.

A major challenge has been the long incubation period of the disease, Park said. Symptoms, if there are any, can show up two to six weeks after exposure.

Hepatitis A is spread by contaminated food or water or close personal contact. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, appetite loss, abdominal discomfort and diarrhea.

Health department staff members have scrambled to interview all those who have been sickened. But they say it can be difficult for them to remember who they came into contact with or what they consumed.