Oct 29 (Reuters) – Schools in Ukraine’s central city of Vinnytsia will be transitioning to online learning starting Monday due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A. The outbreak has led to numerous hospitalizations among children and adults, as stated by the country’s chief sanitary official over the weekend.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Ukraine’s Chief Sanitary Doctor and Deputy Health Minister, Ihor Kuzin, emphasized the immediate need to identify the epicenter and causes of the viral Hepatitis A outbreak. This is crucial to prevent further spread among the population.
Vinnytsia, the administrative center of the Vinnytsia region in central Ukraine, currently has 141 individuals hospitalized due to the outbreak. Prior to the war, the city had a population of approximately 370,000.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection, which can be transmitted through close personal contact or consumption of contaminated food or drink. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides additional information on Hepatitis A.
While most individuals recover fully from Hepatitis A after experiencing symptoms for a few weeks to several months, certain high-risk groups or those with pre-existing health conditions may face more severe complications.
“The outbreak’s exact cause has not yet been determined,” stated Kuzin. “We are currently analyzing the sources of transmission and collaborating with the population to identify individuals who have had contact with infected individuals.”
(Editing by Daniel Wallis)
