This Wednesday, April 17, the Medellín Health Secretariat issued an epidemiological alert due to the unusual increase in hepatitis A cases this year.
Between January 1 and to date, 431 cases have been reported, which represents an increase of 230% compared to the same period of the previous year in which 179 were presented.
“Hepatitis A is an infection that attacks the liver, it can turn the skin yellow, cause fever or abdominal pain. and the stool changes color (becomes a little lighter), as well as the urine may become darker. Given these symptoms, it is important to consult. To date we have more than 400 cases of which 33% have required hospitalization,” explained the Secretary of Health, Natalia López Delgado.
How is hepatitis A spread?
The main source of transmission is through water, food or objects contaminated with the virus that come into contact with the mouth, which is why it is more frequent when there are inadequate hygienic and sanitary conditions, the District has explained.
Other less common forms of transmission are through intravenous drug use and blood transfusion; The latter, although rarely reported, can occur when the donor is in the incubation period, the information added.
It should be taken into account that anyone who has not been vaccinated or who has previously been infected with hepatitis A is susceptible to getting sick at any time.
What to do to prevent it?
In Medellín, the vaccine against this disease has been applied free of charge since 2012. The biological is available at the basic IPS and at the 72 immunization points in the District.
“To avoid it we must be vaccinated. All children under 12 years of age should have the dose; and at home, rigorous hand hygiene must be practiced. If people are sick, they should not prepare food and be isolated, and if we are going to eat on the street, choose a place that has good hygienic-sanitary conditions,” the official added.
The secretary also noted that “we are in a dengue epidemic”this in view of the climatic factor that the region is going through these days, which favors the proliferation of mosquitoes that transmit the disease.
For this reason, it is important to take self-care measures, avoiding containers with water that can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
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