--- title: How Can You Help Prevent a Hepatitis A Outbreak? date: 2021-09-27T15:44:00-07:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/how-can-you-help-prevent-a-hepatitis-a-outbreak" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Outbreaks](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) / # How Can You Help Prevent a Hepatitis A Outbreak? **What is Hepatitis A?** Hepatitis A is the only common vaccine-preventable foodborne disease in the United States. This virus is one of five human hepatitis viruses that primarily infect the human liver and cause human illness. Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not develop into chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, which are both potentially fatal conditions. Nonetheless, infection with the hepatitis A virus can lead to acute liver failure and death. **How often does Hepatitis A occur?** Each year, approximately 30,000 to 50,000 cases of hepatitis A occur in the United States. Historically, acute hepatitis A rates have varied cyclically, with nationwide increases every 10 to 15 years. The national rate of hepatitis A infections has declined steadily since the last peak in 1995. **How is Hepatitis A transmitted?** Hepatitis A is a communicable (or contagious) disease that often spreads from person to person. Person-to-person transmission occurs via the “fecal-oral route,” while all other exposure is generally attributable to contaminated food or water. **How to Prevent a Hepatitis A infection** [Hepatitis A is totally and completely preventable by receiving a Hepatitis A vaccine](https://marlerclark.com/food-litigation/hepatitis-a-outbreak-litigation). Although outbreaks continue to occur in the United States, no one should ever get infected if preventive measures are taken. For example, vaccinated or not, food handlers must always wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and certainly before preparing food. Vaccinated or not, food handlers should always wear gloves when handling or preparing ready-to-eat foods, although gloves are not a substitute for good hand washing. Ill food-handlers should be excluded from work. **Hepatitis A:** [Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm](http://www.marlerclark.com/), is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of [Hepatitis A](http://www.about-hepatitis.com/) outbreaks. The [Hepatitis A lawyers of Marler Clark](https://marlerclark.com/food-litigation/hepatitis-a-outbreak-litigation) have represented thousands of victims of [Hepatitis A](http://www.about-hepatitis.com/) and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $800 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our [Hepatitis A](http://www.about-hepatitis.com/) lawyers have litigated [Hepatitis A](http://www.about-hepatitis.com/) cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of sources, such as green onions, lettuce and restaurant food. The law firm has brought [Hepatitis A lawsuits](https://marlerclark.com/food-litigation/hepatitis-a-outbreak-litigation) against such companies as Costco, Subway, McDonald’s, Red Robin, Chipotle, Quiznos and Carl’s Jr. We proudly represented the family of [Donald Rockwell](http://www.marlerclark.com/case_news/view/maple-lawn-dairy-hepatitis-a-outbreak-new-york), who died after consuming [Hepatitis A](http://www.about-hepatitis.com/) tainted food and [Richard Miller](http://www.marlerclark.com/case_news/view/chi-chis-hepatitis-a-outbreak-pennsylvania), who required a liver transplant after eating food at a Chi-Chi’s restaurant. If you or a family member became ill with a [Hepatitis A](http://www.about-hepatitis.com/) infection after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark [Hepatitis A](http://www.about-hepatitis.com/) attorneys for a free case evaluation. **Additional Resources** - [About Hepatitis A](https://about-hepatitis.com/) - [Hepatitis A Fact Sheet](http://www.marlerclark.com/pdfs/hepatitisBrochure.pdf) - [Hepatitis A Video](https://youtu.be/JfubNaF1aac) - [Marler Clark Hepatitis A Video](https://youtu.be/KIDcePxd8Qs) ### Other Hepatitis A Lawsuits [Washington and California Hepatitis A Outbreak linked to Imported Strawberries](https://marlerclark.com/washington-hepatitis-a-outbreak-linked-to-imported-strawberries) [Hepatitis A outbreak - Strawberries sicken 27 in Canada and United States](https://marlerclark.com/hepatitis-a-outbreak-strawberries-sicken-27-in-canada-and-united-states) [Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria linked to Hepatitis A Outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/ginos-ristorante-pizzeria-linked-to-hepatitis-a-outbreak) [Famous Anthony's Hepatitis A Outbreak; 52 sick, 36 hospitalized and 4 deaths](https://marlerclark.com/hepatitis-a-outbreak-linked-to-roanoke-famous-anthonys-restaurants) [Los Angelos Hepatitis A Outbreak linked to 555 East American Steakhouse](https://marlerclark.com/los-angelos-hepatitis-a-outbreak-linked-to-555-east-american-steakhouse) [Marler Clark retained in Hepatitis A cases linked to Fresh Thyme or Woodman’s blackberries](https://marlerclark.com/marler-clark-retained-in-nebraska-hepatitis-a-case-linked-to-fresh-thyme-farmers-market-blackberries) [Mendham Golf & Tennis Club Hepatitis A Outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/mendham-golf-tennis-club-hepatitis-a-outbreak) [Hawaii Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked to Genki Sushi Restaurants](https://marlerclark.com/oahu-hepatitis-a-outbreak-investigation) [New Hawaii Sea Restaurant Hepatitis A Outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/new-hawaii-sea-restaurant-hepatitis-a-outbreak) [Townsend Farms organic frozen berries from Costco and Harris Teeter linked to hepatitis A outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/townsend-farms-organic-frozen-berries-from-costco-linked-to-hepatitis-a-out) [A Tom's Gyro Restaurant Employee Tests Positive for Hepatitis A in Idaho](https://marlerclark.com/a-toms-gyro-restaurant-employee-tests-positive-for-hepatitis-a-in-idaho) [Lone Star Steakhouse in Evansville, IN Linked to Hepatitis A Scare](https://marlerclark.com/evansville-in-restaurant-linked-to-hepatitis-a-scare) ### Lawsuit updates about foodborne illnesses [Reactive Arthritis Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=reactive-arthritis&year=all) [E. coli Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=e-coli&year=all) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=guillain-barre-syndrome&year=all) [Salmonella Lawsuit 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Lawsuits in 1999](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=1999) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2000](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2000) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2001](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2001) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2002](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2002) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2003](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2003) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2004](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2004) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2005](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2005) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2006](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2006) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2007](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2007) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2008](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2008) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2009](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2009) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2010](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2010) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2011](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2011) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2012](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2012) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2013](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2013) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2014](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2014) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2015](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2015) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2016](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2016) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2017](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2017) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2018](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2018) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2019](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2019) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2020](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2020) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2021](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2021) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2022](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2022) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2023](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2023) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2024](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2024) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2025](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2025) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2026](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2026) ##### Get Help #### Affected by an outbreak or recall? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) ##### Related Resources ###### [Hepatitis A Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/about-hepatitis) An Introduction to Hepatitis A Viral hepatitis is a major global public health problem affecting hundreds of millions of people and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Five biologically... ###### [The Incidence of Hepatitis A Infection](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-common-is-hepatitis-a-infection) How common is Hepatitis A infection? Hepatitis A incidence varies between regions and is much more common in countries with underdeveloped sanitation systems; thus, contracting hepatitis A is a risk... ###### [Transmission of Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-does-hepatitis-a-spread) How does Hepatitis A spread? Hepatitis A is a communicable (or contagious) disease that is acquired primarily by the fecal oral route either from person to person or through contaminated... ###### [Symptoms of Hepatitis A Infection](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-symptoms-risks) What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A infection? Hepatitis A may cause no symptoms at all when it is contracted, especially in children. Asymptomatic individuals may only know they were... ###### [Complications of Hepatitis A Infection](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-complications) Fulminant hepatitis A, or acute liver failure, can be a complication of hepatitis A infection. Fulminant hepatitis A is a rare but devastating complication of HAV infection. As many as... ##### Outbreak Database #### Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ View Outbreak Database ](https://outbreakdatabase.com)