An outbreak of viral hepatitis was recorded in Vinnitsa: about 100 people were hospitalized, including children.
An outbreak of viral hepatitis A was recorded in Vinnitsa. 93 cases have been officially registered in the city. Among the patients were 16 children. Where and how people got infected, read the story Correspondent.net.
What is known about patients
The infection began to spread throughout Vinnitsa since last week and the number of patients is growing every day. For comparison: on October 16, only 25 cases of the disease were confirmed, and at 10 am on October 24, 93 cases of viral hepatitis A were confirmed in the city laboratory. Among the patients, there are 16 children, according to the method, studying in different schools.
As Alexander Shish, director of the health department of the Vinnytsia City Council, said, most people experience the disease in a mild to moderate form. If we talk about children, then in 15-20% of cases there are no symptoms. Both children and adolescents can suffer from pain in their feet, the official added.
“Looking back, we can say that every 20 years there is an outbreak of hepatitis A. There is an accumulation of people who did not have the disease in childhood, that is, who did not have immunity, then a carrier appears – he is not even that. necessarily from this region. This is the person who has access to food or water, enters a crowd of people who do not have immunity, and the spread occurs. This disease spreads through dirty hands, not enough heat-treated food and untreated water,” Shish told Radio City over the Bug.
Where can people get infected?
Among all 93 patients, there are representatives of different age groups, all districts of Vinnitsa and different types of activity – from public sector workers to the unemployed. Therefore, as local officials say, an epidemiological link or a single source of infection has not yet been established.
Now doctors and specialists are investigating all possible causes of the outbreak of the disease in the city – from spontaneous markets to the water supply. Specifically, 66 water samples were collected for laboratory testing from public drinking water sources, private wells, drinking water sales points or the distribution network. Of these samples, 53 have been tested and comply with sanitary standards, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine reported.
While conducting the epidemiological investigation, doctors recommend taking preventive measures. Also, doctors do not give any forecasts, because, on the one hand, the source of the spread of the disease is unknown, and on the other hand, the situation is complicated by a long incubation period.
Insidious infection
All relatives of the patients were placed under observation, explained the Department of Health of the City Council of Vinnytsia. They report their temperature and monitor their symptoms.
The long incubation period – from two weeks to a month – complicates the diagnosis of hepatitis A. This means that a person can infect others even before the symptoms of the disease appear.
Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the liver and can be mild or severe. Common symptoms are fever, weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
The hepatitis A virus is transmitted by consuming contaminated food or water due to poor personal hygiene, and also in families when an infected person prepares food for all family members.
As recommended by the Ministry of Health, maintaining hygiene when preparing food and washing vegetables and fruits before consumption will help prevent the spread of the virus through food.
“Do not use water from untested sources. Any unbottled water should be boiled before drinking. Do not forget about the rules of personal hygiene: wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after using toilet, before eating and after contact with waste helps to prevent and prevent infection “, the department notes.
Doctors also reminded that there is a vaccine against the hepatitis A virus, so they urge Ukrainians to get vaccinated.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.