Indiana University Educating Students, Staff About Hepatitis A Amid Outbreak

Indiana University says it’s encouraging dining services workers to get a hepatitis A vaccine as an outbreak in the state continues to grow.

While there are no cases of the highly-contagious liver infection on the Bloomington campus, more than 330 people have been diagnosed with hepatitis A across the state since November.

IU is offering the vaccine at its health clinic for students, faculty and staff.

University Spokesperson Chuck Carney says as student dining workers return to campus this week, the university is reminding them about proper hygiene and educating them about the hepatitis A vaccine.

“Because that is something that can spread the disease,” he says. “If someone has Hepatitis A, that can spread through handling of food and then get into the population that way.”

Carney says IU is also monitoring the Hepatitis A outbreak in counties where it has regional campuses.

Monroe County has five cases of hepatitis A associated with the outbreak.