In the Kiev neighborhood, a large -scale outbreak of viral hepatitis A. was recorded as 65 people, including 31 children, had already become ill on May 16. All students of the district schools are transferred to distance learning. The source of infection has not yet been established.
This was reported by Natalia Gunchenko, Deputy Director General of the Kyiv City Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during a briefing.
According to Hunchenko, it was the neighborhood of the Odradny in the Solomenskiy district that became the epicenter of the outbreak. The disease struck both children and adults, but young people are the main risk group. Older people usually already have immunity, because they have become ill for hepatitis A.
Specific treatment of hepatitis A does not exist - vaccination remains the only effective method of prevention. At the same time, hepatitis A vaccination is not included in the list of mandatory and is carried out exclusively at its own expense.
As of May 10, 330 people were vaccinated, mostly children. The cost of the vaccine for adults - 1080 UAH, for children - 820 UAH. Revaccination is recommended after 6 months, but is possible for 5 years.
Experts have not yet established the source of infection. Given the long incubation period of the virus - up to 50 days - the study covers the events of the last two months. The investigation takes samples of pump rooms, reservoirs and a centralized water network. Students and adolescents are also massively tested.
“We open something new every day. It is a retrospective study - to find out what happened two months ago, ”Natalia Gunchenko explained.
All schools in the reconstruction area were transferred to distance learning. This step is taken to reduce the risk of transmission of infection during direct contact.
Doctors point out that the situation is alarming, but not unique. Viral hepatitis A is cyclical: periods of lifting of the incidence are usually repeated every 7-8 years.
“Last year, 2-3 cases were recorded. The current outbreak is another cycle. Hepatitis A constantly exists, sometimes sometimes forgotten, ”Gunchenko said.
The investigation is ongoing. Doctors urge parents to be attentive to the symptoms of children, to observe hygiene, to avoid consumption of raw water and, if possible, to make vaccinations.
