A group of approximately 20 adolescents and children from the Zaragoza Sur colony in the city of Torreón, Coahuila has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Sanitary Jurisdiction No. 6, presumably because of water shortages.
Martha Alicia Romero, Deputy Director of Health Prevention and Promotion, reported that, in the face of this situation, preventive and control measures have been carried out in the area by the Department of Epidemiology.
Talks have been given to residents about hygienic-die policy measures and training has been provided on waste management, water chlorination, guidance on risk factors, and transmission mechanisms.
The source of contagion, which could be food or water, is being investigated and a meeting of the Clean Water Committee will be held to address this issue.
Concerning symptoms, it has been mentioned that those affected may experience tiredness, and changes in the coloration of the eyes and skin, and are advised to isolate them for 14 days.
The optional has stressed that the detected cases are attributed to inadequate hygiene conditions, lack of hand washing, and low use of running water.
It has been reported that, to date, 36 cases of hepatitis A have been confirmed, mainly at General Hospital No. 16 from the IMSS.
This problem is being addressed in collaboration with the Department of Health Regulation and Development, as well as with the Municipal Water and Sanitation System (Simas).
The problem with hepatitis A lies in its long incubation period, which can be up to a month from the person acquiring the virus until clinical symptoms manifest. Therefore, it is difficult to identify its origin,” he said.
Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver that usually resolves on its own, so most people recover without the need for treatment.
Source: Vanguardia
