(NEWSnet) – Massachusetts health officials are investigating Hepatitis A cases that have been confirmed in part of the state, with four people so far requiring hospitalization.

The state Department of Health clinical advisory report says the cluster appears similar to a hepatitis outbreak that started in 2018 in Massachusetts and ended in 2020 after having been tracked to over 560 cases and nine deaths in several states.

No deaths have been reported in the recent wave.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection with symptoms that can last for months. It is primarily spread person-to-person; those who are at high risk include homeless individuals and those who inject or use drugs.

The state’s report said between Nov. 1 and Nov. 29, there were six cases confirmed in Suffolk, Norfolk, Hampden and Plymouth counties; with additional cases still under investigation.

The patients do not have a history of travel outside of Massachusetts and do not share any common sources of food, drink or drugs.

“Given the pattern of significant HAV outbreaks previously seen involving similar populations, here and in other jurisdictions, there is concern that additional hepatitis A transmission and morbidity will likely occur in the Commonwealth,” the report said.

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