The Chief Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine has identified a possible cause of the hepatitis A outbreak in the Vinnytsia region

The outbreak of Hepatitis A in the Vinnytsia region of Ukraine may be attributed to contaminated drinking water.

This information reported according to the Chief Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine, Igor Kuzin.

He stated that the number of cases could indicate such a cause, but experts have not yet reached a definitive conclusion, and investigations are ongoing.

Among other potential factors, Kuzin mentioned local market products, where the majority of those affected had made purchases. Ukrainian law enforcement sources had previously suggested that contaminated drinking water could be the cause of the Hepatitis A outbreak in Vinnytsia.

Hepatitis A infection occurs through the consumption of contaminated food, water, and contact with unwashed hands and household items used by an infected person. The infection enters the body through the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite its simplicity, thorough handwashing remains the primary method of preventing Hepatitis A. The causative agent affects the liver.

To recap, on October 24, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine reported a Hepatitis A outbreak in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia. At that time, 60 people, including 14 children, had already been hospitalized. Sixty-six water samples were collected for laboratory analysis, and as of November 3, 53 of them had been tested and met sanitary standards.

As of November 3, there were 219 confirmed cases of Hepatitis A in the region. A total of 262 people sought medical assistance, including 36 children, and 111 were hospitalized.

In early November, it was also reported that Hepatitis A had been detected in two more regions: Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil.