Hepatitis A outbreak in Vinnytsia region: waterborne infection is considered as one of the main versions

Experts consider waterborne infection as one of the two main versions of the outbreak of hepatitis A in Vinnytsia region. The option of contact and household transmission of the virus is also not excluded. This is stated in the response of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation of the Vinnytsia Regional State Administration to a request of UNN.

Details

"The Vinnytsia Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine considered 2 versions: the contact and household transmission route and the water transmission route," the Department said.  They added that water samples were analyzed in each center of infection.

"An epidemiologic investigation of each case of hepatitis A was carried out with the filling in of the relevant documentation forms, water samples (centralized water supply, decentralized water supply and water from private aquamats) were examined in each center of infection, and final disinfection was carried out in each center, if desired," the response to the request reads.

The department reported that in addition, laboratory testing of employees of epidemically significant facilities was carried out using the ELISA method. In particular, drinking water supply facilities, including aqua mats, confectioneries, dairy and meat processing plants, markets, and shopping centers. As well as sanitary and virological testing by PCR of washings from vegetables and fruits sold in Vinnytsia city markets to identify the source of the hepatitis A virus pathogen.

The final cause of the hepatitis A outbreak will be established upon its completion.

"The final cause of the outbreak will be established at the end of the outbreak. All versions of the investigation remain a priority," the Department summarized.

To recap

Health Minister Viktor Lyashko earlier said that the Ministry of Health is also inclined to believe that the source of the outbreak could be the water supply network .  Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Rehabilitation of Vinnytsia Regional State Administration does not rule out a new wave of hepatitis A cases.