BARNAUL, November 3 - An outbreak of hepatitis A has been registered in two settlements in Russia?s Altai region.

Fifteen people, including eight children, are ill with hepatitis in the settlement of Asyamovka, and 15 cases of hepatitis, in which 14 patients are children, are registered in the settlement of Vinogradovka.

The territorial department of the Rospotrebnadzor consumer rights watchdog controls the situation. Tainted drinking water is seen as the main source of the infection in both cases. Water pipes are in need of repairs in the two settlements.

According to a specialist from Rospotrebnadzor?s department, "the situation with hepatitis A has remained safe in the Altai region for the past few years, with only isolated cases registered".

Hepatitis A figures in the region are five times lower than on the average across Russia, Nadezhda Prokopyeva said. The outbreak is connected with the violation of hygienic norms, she added.
sections: Accidents, Nature & Health, Region News
areas: Siberian region