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State of Florida slow to release info on hepatitis A

Posted at 4:20 PM, Aug 02, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-02 18:18:25-04

As Florida’s hepatitis A death toll continues to rise, the Department of Health has not released where the deaths have occurred.

The state reports 29 people have died from the food-borne illness since the beginning of the year.

RELATED: Florida Surgeon General issued Public Health Emergency in response to hepatitis A outbreak

For nearly two months, ABC Action News Anchor Wendy Ryan been asking the state for information on the death cases, including the age, gender and county – information the health department regularly releases when it comes other diseases, such as the flu.

Meanwhile the hepatitis A epidemic continues in Florida and the state’s surgeon issued a public health emergency order for the state.

RELATED: I-Team uncovers more past cases of Hepatitis A in restaurant workers kept from the public

RELATED: Should Florida require food workers to get hepatitis A vaccines and tests?

Have your voice heard. If you think the public has the right to know this information, you can call the state surgeon general at 850-245-4321 or governor’s office at 850-488-7146.

You can also email Gov. DeSantis: flgov.com/email-the-governor.