Sep 21 2005
YEKATERINBURG. Sept 21 (Interfax) – A breakdown in the sewage system and infected water were the cause of a recent outbreak of Hepatitis A in Nizhny Novgorod, the Volga-Urals emergency situations center reported.
The sewage system broke down during the maintenance of the Novo- Sormovskiye water purification facilities. The water is being chlorinated and massive vaccination has been launched. THis work is being monitored by an emergency center.
As many as 792 hepatitis patients remain in local hospitals, including 149 children under 14. Since the first Hepatitis A case was reported, 816 people have been hospitalized, among them 156 children.
From 130 to 150 new hepatitis cases are expected to be diagnosed before the end of the week.
A criminal investigation into the outbreak of Hepatitis A has been started on charges of violating sanitary-epidemiological regulations.