SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The City of San Diego says there’s no risk to the public following a recent hepatitis A outbreak ahead of one of the city’s largest events, Comic-Con.
City officials say they’ve taken a number of precautions since the outbreak began in March of 2017.
County health officials declared a public health emergency in September of 2017. The emergency ended in January of 2018.
Since September, the city has maintained its sanitation efforts and facilities and has continued funding in the 2019 fiscal year budget that began July 1.
More on San Diego's hep A outbreak:
- San Diego County examines Hep A outbreak in new report
- Hepatitis A emergency officially ends in San Diego County
- Hepatitis A outbreak spreads beyond homeless community
- How can you tell if you have hepatitis A?
In addition to permanent restrooms, portable restrooms have been set up in several locations, including three at First Avenue and C Street, three at 1330 G Street and two at Park Boulevard and 11th Avenue.
Each site also has two handwashing stations. Restrooms in Balboa Park have also continued to be open 24/7.
The hours were extended during the outbreak, but following the public health emergency, officials with the city decided to maintain the extended hours.
Officials say a continued effort is being made to keep sidewalks clean and that certain locations continue to be sanitized based on need.
San Diego also oversees the contract for 11 handwashing stations that were designated as “highly used” while being operated by the county.
More than 33,000 people have received their second hep A vaccine, health officials say, adding that, though two doses are recommended, there is no risk for an outbreak after people have received their first hep A shot. Health officials say this is because the first shot is 90 percent effective.
