A state of emergency has been declared in Vinnytsia region due to an outbreak of hepatitis A, and there are also cases of hepatitis in other regions of Ukraine. Find out why the epidemic is dangerous, how to prevent the disease, and whether there is a threat to the whole of Ukraine

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The outbreak of hepatitis A in Vinnytsia Oblast has left at least 207 people sick, with a number of people still waiting to be diagnosed. A state of emergency has been declared in the region, but after several weeks of the epidemic, sanitary services have not yet found the source of the infection. Among the possible options are water and food. Currently, more than 1,000 vaccines have been sent to the region to vaccinate healthcare workers and contact persons.

The article below explains whether there is a risk that the epidemic will spread to other regions of Ukraine, what are the symptoms of the disease, and how to prevent infection.

Symptoms of hepatitis A and how is the disease transmitted?

Hepatitis A, or Botkin's disease, is an acute infectious disease that affects the internal organs of the human body, in particular the liver. The infection is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. That is, a person can get sick by drinking water or food that has been contaminated with infected feces, as well as by using contaminated household items. In addition, infection is possible through direct contact with an infected person.

Usually, the disease is mild, but people with concomitant liver disease and the elderly are at risk. They are at risk of severe disease.

Symptoms of hepatitis A include

- weakness and sudden loss of strength

- fever

- loss of appetite

- diarrhea

- vomiting;

- abdominal discomfort and heaviness in the right hypochondrium;

- darkening of the urine;

- jaundice.

The incubation period of the disease is usually 14-28 days, and after a person has recovered, he or she develops lifelong immunity. However, after the illness, a person must follow a diet and other restrictions to help the liver recover.

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How to protect yourself from hepatitis A: prevention of the disease

It is quite easy to protect yourself from hepatitis A. The main rule is personal hygiene, especially for hands. Doctors recommend washing your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. This should be done every time, before cooking or eating and after using the restroom. In addition, epidemiologists recommend drinking only boiled water and washing vegetables and fruits thoroughly before cooking and eating.

You can also get vaccinated to prevent infection. Hepatitis A vaccines are available at pharmacies.

Is there a threat of the hepatitis A epidemic spreading to the whole of Ukraine?

Unfortunately, such a threat exists if people do not follow the advice of doctors and the state of emergency in the region, because hepatitis A can persist in the environment for a long period of time, and it can be months. In addition, if contaminated feces get into the public water supply network or water bodies, this can lead to a faster and more widespread spread of the disease.

Currently, an increased threat is reported for the surrounding areas. However, the main risk group is children, as most adults already have partially formed immunity. This is because the disease can occur in a very mild form, when a person does not even realize that he or she has hepatitis A.

At the same time, the danger lies not in hepatitis A itself, but in the complications that the disease can cause. After all, despite the fact that the liver takes the brunt of the damage, other organs can also be affected. In addition, if a person has concomitant diseases, there is a possibility of a prolonged course of the disease, and sometimes even death.

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