Amid outbreak, officials warn of hepatitis A on bus between Salt Lake and Boise

Public health officials have issued an alert to anyone who rode a Greyhound bus from Salt Lake City to Boise on Wednesday, April 10.

Bus riders who used the restroom during their trip might have been exposed to the highly contagious hepatitis A virus.

Central District Health Department said in a news release that bus riders who used the on-board restroom should call (208) 327-8625 as soon as possible to assess their risk of exposure.

Riders who didn’t use the restroom don’t need to call the health department.

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease. The vaccine protects people before and even after exposure to the virus. Anyone who came in contact with the hepatitis A virus on the bus to Boise could be protected if they receive the vaccine by Tuesday, April 23.

The Treasure Valley is seeing a surge in cases of hepatitis A. At least 12 people in southern Idaho have been infected with hepatitis A since the start of the year — four more than in all of 2018.

Public health experts recommend getting the vaccine as part of your routine preventive health care.