CNN: During a hepatitis A emergency, there’s a nationwide shortage of vaccine

City workers wash down streets and sidewalks Monday in an effort to control a hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego. Susan Murphy/KPBS

Sandee LaMotte, CNN

Hepatitis A outbreaks are spreading nationwide leading to a shortage of vaccinations. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver disease caused by the HAV virus. According to the CDC, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Cruz are high-risk areas. A California outbreak has sickened 644 individuals and claimed 21 lives. In San Diego, it was estimated that 150,000 individuals were at a high risk for infection. To read more about the outbreak, click here.