Hepatitis A cases are increasing at an alarming rate in Florida and while there are no medications to treat it, it can be prevented with a vaccine.

On April 30, Orlando Weekly reported 950 cases in Florida. Three weeks later, that number has risen to 1,220, adding up to more cases this year than in the last five years combined. In November of last year, health officials issued a Hepatitis A advisory for the Sunshine State.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection that is spread by ingesting fecal matter found in contaminated food or drinks or during sex. Health officials advise hand-washing and vaccination to reduce the possibility of contracting the virus. So far, the outbreak has mostly affected our neighbors experiencing homelessness and drug users.

In response, health department officials in Florida have been working to vaccinate our at-risk populations.

In other news…

Construction on Virgin Trains USA (formerly Brightline) has officially begun on the new rail line from West Palm Beach to Orlando. (Orlando Sentinel)

On Tuesday, Full Sail celebrated the grand opening of The Fortress, its new 11,200 square foot e-sports arena, putting us on the map for housing the largest e-sports arena on a college campus in the United States. (WKMG)

The annual Florida Prize exhibit is back at the Orlando Museum of Art and kicks off Friday, May 31, with a fun lineup that includes great local eats, tasty drinks, good music, and art by 10 of Florida’s finest artists. (Orlando Date Night Guide)

The Winter Park/Maitland Observer sent its last newspaper to print on Friday, May 17, citing lack of “revenue tracking” as the reason. The weekly paper has been around since 1989. Personally, we’re always sad to see any newspaper go. (Bungalower)

Fresh Market is officially off the market in the grocery delivery department and is now available on Instacart. (WKMG)

Did you know that Apopka is known as the indoor foliage capital of the world? It’s also one of Central Florida’s hot spots for outdoor activities (we took you to one last week when we spotlighted The CATalyst). Aside from the springs, nature and the outdoors, Apopka is home to several family-run restaurants, and some tasty ones at that. We should know, we were judges in last year’s Apopka Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Apopka. Swoon.

That’s where we met the Phillips family. Patrice and Terrence Phillips own Something Fishy seafood restaurant in Apopka. Married for 25 years, they left their corporate jobs to make Terrance’s lifelong dream of opening a restaurant come true.

Kayla, our video producer, headed out to Apopka to sit down with Terrance and learn more about how Something Fishy got its start. She also got to try the clam chowder and the Crush Orange Soda cake, made by Terrance’s mom and from the “Something Sweet” nightly rotating dessert menu.

Pro-tip: If you want the highly sought-after shrimp and grits, Terrance says you better get there early.

Something Fishy is open every day. Call ahead to find out what desserts will be available because it changes daily. Thanks to a special customer calling to request it, the strawberry cake is always available on Thursdays.

Are you an introvert but love to explore this city of ours? Running low on activity ideas that fuel that introverted nature? This list was written for you (and maybe also a little for us).

We’ll see you bright and early tomorrow, Orlando (unless you’re a late riser).

— Pulptown