Contact: Olga Connor                                                                                        

                                                                                                    DOH-Miami-Dade

                                                                                                                786-336-1276

                                                                                                                Sam Gil

    Camillus House

                305-374-1065

 

MIAMI – The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County recognizes World Hepatitis Day. This day allows us the opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the disease that it causes.   

 

“Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. The most common types of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis A, B and C. All types of viral hepatitis can cause inflammation of the liver; however, hepatitis B and C infection can result in a lifelong, chronic infection.

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are 400 million people living with chronic viral hepatitis worldwide and most of them do not know they are infected.  More than 1 million die due to these infections every year and many more become newly infected.  Transmission of this virus can be prevented through better awareness and education.

 

“Any person, no matter their age, gender, race or ethnicity, can get the disease, said Lillian Rivera, RN, MSN, PhD, Administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County. You don’t have to have symptoms, so that is why it is very important to get screened to learn your status.”

 

In observance of World Hepatitis Day, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County will be providing hepatitis vaccines, Rapid hepatitis C screening and education to Camillus House clients.

 

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County encourages everyone who may be at risk, to ask their healthcare provider to test them for hepatitis.  A simple blood test may save not only your liver, but your life.

 

For more information about hepatitis, please visit www.flahepatitis.org or www.cdc.gov/hepatitis or contact the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County at 305-470-5660.                                                                         

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The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

 

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.

 

Camillus House has provided humanitarian services to men, women and children who are poor and homeless in Miami-Dade County for 55 years. Established by the Brothers of the Good Shepherd in 1960, Camillus House has grown steadily over the years from a small overnight shelter into a comprehensive system of care for persons who are chronically homeless.