Florida's hepatitis A epidemic may continue for a while, based on the words from the Surgeon General.
More than 2,600 cases of hepatitis A have been reported across the state this year, which is more than four times last year's total.
Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees says the epidemic is unlikely to end soon.
He told state lawmakers recently that the Department of Health is working to slow the spread of the virus by vaccinating people considered to be at high risk and those who are medically vulnerable to hep-A. Rivkees says the Centers for Disease Control insists that Florida must vaccinate 80 percent of those at high risk, including the homeless and drug users.
There are more than 490,000 people in that category, all of whom must take the shot voluntarily.
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