From the Illinois Radio Network

The Illinois Department of Public Heath confirms five cases of Hepatitis A in central Illinois in November.

Illinois averages 70 cases of the disease a year, and to date there have been 69 confirmed diagnoses.

Hepatitis A is an infection that can damage the liver. The disease is passed easily from one person to another through food, water, drug use and sex.

In an effort to prevent outbreaks in Illinois, IDPH is working with local health departments around the state to make vaccines more readily available.