The outbreak of Hepatitis A in the Vinnytsia region has been eliminated: probable causes of spread named

The outbreak of hepatitis A, which began in October of this year, has been eliminated in the Vinnytsia region. Currently, the number of both hospitalized and new cases is decreasing, but isolated cases may still be detected for several months. Investigations have revealed that there are two possible causes of the outbreak.

One source may be the market and food production, and the other may be water. This was announced by Chief State Sanitary Doctor Ihor Kuzin, according to the Ministry of Health.

Thus, experts recorded an asymptomatic course of the disease in several market and food production workers. Of the 3,864 people tested, 9 had antibodies to the hepatitis A virus. These people could have infected others without knowing that they were carriers of the virus.

"Regarding the study of water samples: out of 403 samples taken from the centralized water supply system, public water supply systems, rivers, and wastewater, no hepatitis A virus was detected. However, microbiological indicators in almost 30% of the samples showed an excess of bacteriological indicators. This is the second factor. Therefore, the disinfection of water supply networks has been intensified, and work continues to adjust technological regulations," the Ministry of Health noted.

In total, 333 cases of hepatitis A were confirmed in the Vinnytsia region from October 16 to December 7. Currently, 30 patients are still undergoing treatment, and 267 have already been discharged.

To eliminate the outbreak, more than 2 thousand doses of the vaccine were delivered to the region for free vaccinations. They were received by 669 medical workers and 151 people from the circle of contacts - relatives and friends of patients who were diagnosed with hepatitis.

As a reminder, in October, an outbreak of viral hepatitis A was reported in one of the districts of Vinnytsia Oblast. 60 people were hospitalized with a confirmed diagnosis of hepatitis A, including 14 children.

Later, 100 people with suspected cases of the disease were hospitalized. All of them live in different neighborhoods of Vinnytsia and in the region.

At the time, the Ministry of Health said that the outbreak of viral hepatitis A in the region could be linked not only to drinking water but also to food. An emergency situation was declared in the Vinnytsia region and emergency vaccination of those who came into contact with patients with hepatitis A began.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Later, hepatitis A was detected in Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil.

- Later, hepatitis A was detected in five regions of Ukraine. New cases were registered in Dnipropetrovs'k and Zakarpattia regions.

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