Officials in the Palmetto State are warning about a Hepatitis A outbreak that’s already four times more severe than usual.

DHEC says South Carolina averages 19 cases a year, but has already had 86 cases since November.

So far, one person has died.                                         

DHEC does offer free vaccines for groups most at-risk, including the homeless, those who use injection drugs, and prison inmates.

For more information on Hepatitis A, visit DHEC’s website here.