In the Irkutsk region, more than 30 people were infected with hepatitis A, including schoolchildren

The outbreak of hepatitis A was recorded in the Tulun district and the city of Tulun of the Irkutsk region, among the sick there are students of local schools, technical schools and pupils of the Center for Assistance to Children, Interfax reports with reference to the press service of the regional Ministry of Health.

"In the period from December 18 to January 26, 36 cases of viral hepatitis A. Among the sick, clinical signs were registered in 14 people. The rest were detected according to the results of a laboratory examination," the report said. All patients are in the infectious department of the Tulun city hospital.

According to the Ministry of Health, experts were examined by 4243 people who could contact the people who were sick in schools, college, and the Center for assistance to children and at home. Medical observation at the place of residence and educational institutions has been organized, laboratory examination continues, the message says.

The press service of the Ministry of Health of the region refused to clarify the number of minors among those infected with hepatitis A. Currently in all educational and social institutions where the sick are identified, disinfection is carried out. Immunization against hepatitis A is organized by students and employees, 348 people are vaccinated, including 272 children. Doctors observe children and adults who are in contact with the sick.

The administration of the Tulun district has a sanitary and anti-epidemic commission with the participation of employees of Rospotrebnadzor and specialists of the Ministry of Health of the region who arrived from Irkutsk.

Recall that the outbreak of hepatitis A in the Kachug district of the Irkutsk region among children was reported in November last year.

Hepatitis A (Botkin's disease) is an acute infectious liver disease caused by hepatitis A virus, which is transmitted through infected food and water. Hepatitis A does not have a chronic stage of development and does not cause constant damage to the liver.