COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A warning for Indiana residents to steer clear of Michigan is not sitting well with local health officials.
Branch-Hillsdale-St Joseph Community Health Agency Health Officer Rebecca Burns expressed her unhappiness during Thursday’s Board of Health meeting about the recent advisory issued by the Indiana State Health Department about the Hepatitis A outbreak in Michigan.
Indiana state health officials advised Hoosiers not to visit Michigan or Kentucky without getting a Hepatitis A vaccination. Burns said that’s contrary to what is being said by Michigan health officials and the Center for Disease Control.
Burns called the Indiana advisory a huge disappointment.
She said those at high risk are perpetuating the outbreak, not the general public.
As of last Friday, there had been 815 Hepatitis A cases reported in Michigan, which resulted in 657 hospitalizations and 25 deaths.
Burns said the agency has ramped up vaccination efforts to the high risk groups. They have shared a coupon with other service providers in order to get clients vaccinated.
