Local health officials have declared a hepatitis A outbreak in Los Angeles County due to a recent surge in cases.
“A following sustained increase in clinical crow cases and elevated virus levels detected in local wastewater,” the county’s Department of Public Health said in a statement on Monday.
In 2024, there were 165 confirmed hepatitis A cases in L.A. County, which is three times more than the prior year. A total of 29 cases have been confirmed in 2025 so far, officials said.
“Most [of the new cases] have been among people without travel or housing risk factors,” LACDPH explained. “This increase in hepatitis A infections among people without risk factors has corresponded with recent increases in hepatitis A wastewater concentrations.”
“While risk to the public remains low, community-wide protection actions are needed to ensure that the transmission of hepatitis A is reduced,” LACDPH said.
Health officials recommend getting the hepatitis A vaccine and practicing good hygiene to protect yourself.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by a virus. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months.
According to LACDPH, symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, weakness, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), stomach pain, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools and diarrhea.
More information surrounding the outbreak can be found here.
