Los Angeles County is in the midst of a serious and growing hepatitis A outbreak—one that has already taken seven lives and infected more than 165 people in just over a year, with cases still rising. Alarmingly, this highly contagious and potentially deadly virus is no longer limited to vulnerable populations like people experiencing homelessness. It is now spreading more broadly throughout the community, including to people with no known risk factors.

Public health officials have acknowledged that the true number of cases is likely much higher than reported and that wastewater data confirms a resurgence. This is a wake-up call: we cannot afford to wait.

We demand that L.A. County leaders immediately act with urgency, transparency, and scale by:

• Rapidly expanding access to free hepatitis A vaccinations, especially in underserved areas
• Launching a widespread public information campaign about risks, symptoms, and how to get vaccinated
• Increasing access to sanitation facilities and hygiene supplies across the county
• Prioritizing funding for disease surveillance and outbreak response teams

Without decisive action, this outbreak will continue to endanger lives, especially among those without access to healthcare or prior immunity.

Lives are at stake. We call on L.A. County officials to act now and stop the spread.