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<\/p>\nHepatitis A Outbreak Affects Gay Men in Hong Kong<\/b><\/p>\n
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An ongoing outbreak of Hepatitis A in Hong Kong that has prompted authorities to offer free vaccinations has been found to\u00a0pose an increasing risk to gay men<\/a> in the city.<\/p>\n Eleven more cases have been identified, bringing the total to 24, with most patients also reporting positive HIV status.<\/p>\n The centre revealed last week that a significant increase of hepatitis A cases was detected since August last year among HIV-positive men<\/a> who attended the Health Department\u2019s Integrated Treatment Centre, with three more cases being traced back to September 2015.<\/p>\n Between 2006 and 2015, the city recorded zero to two cases of the viral infection per year.<\/p>\n About 150 one-off free hepatitis A vaccinations were given to gay<\/a> men<\/a> attending five designated public clinics as of Wednesday. They were first offered last Friday in an attempt to control the outbreak.<\/p>\n The spokesman added that other men<\/a> who had sex<\/a> with men<\/a> should consult doctors if in doubt and receive vaccinations from the private sector.<\/p>\n The infection is not usually fatal, although it can contribute to liver failure, which is.<\/p>\n The post Hepatitis A Outbreak Affects Gay Men in Hong Kong<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n