11 HEPATITIS CASES IN SANTEE: CITY RESPONDS TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
By Miriam Raftery
September 26, 2017 (Santee) – Today, County Communications specialist Gig Conaughton reported that 11 cases of Hepatitis A have been diagnosed in Santee.
In response to a request from East County Magazine, the city of Santee responded that it has been working closely with the County Health and Human Services Agency to address the Hepatitis A virus outbreak by taking preventative measures to protect local residents.
A statement sent by Santee spokesman Terry Rodgers adds:
The Sheriff’s Department Homeless Outreach Team has contacted local homeless persons and provided them with information about the outbreak as well as inoculation shots to those who consent. In addition, the city has agreed to participate with the county’s prevention program by placing three hand-washing stations in city parks adjacent to the San Diego River, where homeless encampments have occurred.
As an additional preventative strategy, city crews have been disinfecting public areas such as restrooms and picnic shelters on a weekly basis.
After the County Public Health Officer declared a local public health emergency on Sept. 1, 2017, the city published a news article about the Hepatitis A outbreak on the home page of the city website and continues to participate in the county’s effort to inform the public about this important topic.
Santee city officials continue to meet and confer with county health officials to ensure that everything that can be done to address the outbreak on a local level will be carried out.