KHUJAND, December 3, 2009, Asia-Plus — Sughd health authorities report increase in the number of hepatitis A cases in the province.
According to the Sughd center for sanitary and epidemiologic supervision, more than 4,520 cases of hepatitis A have been registered in the area over the first ten months of this year, which is 1,266 cases more than in the same period last year.
The source noted that increase in the number of the disease had been reported in 14 of 15 districts of the province. “The most serious situation has been reported in the Ghonchi and Kuhistoni Mastchoh districts, where three-fold increase has bee reported,” said the source, “In Asht and Istarashan, the number of hepatitis A cases has doubled compared to last year. In Khujand, 483 cases of the disease have been registered since the beginning of this year, while in January-November 2008, 384 cases of hepatitis A were detected in Khujand.”
In the meantime, the Khujand center for sanitary and epidemiologic supervision has not confirmed these figures, noting that no increase in the number cases of hepatitis A has been reported in the city.
Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is most commonly transmitted by the fecal-oral route via contaminated food or drinking water. Every year, approximately 10 million people worldwide are infected with the virus.
In developing countries
, and in regions with poor hygiene standards, the incidence of infection with this virus is high
and the illness is usually contracted in early childhood.
