An outbreak of hepatitis A has been reported in a Roma camp in Transcarpathia
An outbreak of hepatitis A has been reported in the village of Zarichovo, in the Perechyn community in Zakarpattia, in an area where Roma people live in close proximity. Most of those affected are children, and local authorities have already allocated funds for vaccinations and to strengthen preventive measures. Experts are also urging residents to follow hygiene guidelines to stop the spread of the infection.
Ivan Pogorilyak, the mayor of Perechyn, reported on the situation. According to him, as of July 3, there were 13 confirmed cases of the disease, 11 of which were children. “Unfortunately, these people are reluctant to be hospitalized. We urge them not to visit public places, particularly gambling establishments, sports fields, and beaches, as the infection spreads through contaminated hands,” said Ivan Pogorilyak.
During a meeting of the local commission on technogenic and environmental safety and emergency situations, a decision was made to allocate 160,000 hryvnias from the budget for the purchase of vaccines. Vaccinations are planned for residents in the epicenter of the outbreak to stop the further spread of the disease. Separately, plans are in place to disinfect public wells that are not connected to the centralized water supply system, as water and close personal contact are among the main routes of virus transmission.
In addition, the heads of the community’s kindergartens and schools have been instructed to bar children from the outbreak zone and those who have been in contact with infected individuals from attending classes unless they have a medical certificate or have received a preventive vaccination. Hepatitis A is an acute viral disease that affects the liver. It is transmitted primarily through dirty hands, contaminated water or food, as well as through close contact with an infected person.
The initial symptoms may resemble those of a common illness—fever, weakness, and nausea. Later, characteristic signs of liver damage appear, including yellowing of the skin and eyes. Doctors emphasize that the danger also lies in the long incubation period, which can last up to 45 days. An outbreak of hepatitis A has been reported in a Roma camp in Zakarpattia. During this time, a person may not have any obvious symptoms but can already be contagious to others, which significantly complicates efforts to control the spread of the infection. This was reported by Ivan Pogorilyak, the mayor of Perechyn.
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