At least one person has died in Tennessee from the recent hepatitis A outbreak.

The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed more than 400 cases of the illness, which is most heavily affecting Nashville and Chattanooga.

State health officials said the death happened in East Tennessee but have not released specific information about the location.

This is part of a multi-state outbreak that began in 2017.

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted from one person to another through contact with contaminated feces or the consumption of contaminated food or water.

Officials are urging anyone in the high-risk population to get vaccinated to help prevent the spread of the disease. So far, 36,000 vaccinations have been provided in Tennessee.

Other steps to prevent infection include washing hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and also before eating and before preparing or serving food.