Ukraine: Hepatitis A outbreak in Kyiv

The Center for Public Health in Ukraine reports a hepatitis A outbreak in Kyiv, where at least 34 cases have been reported, more than half (20) the cases in children.

The outbreak began in Kyiv’s Vidradny district, with initial reports of 15 cases. Thanks to prompt action by the Kyiv Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), epidemiologists identified more than 200 people who had been in contact with the infected. Upon examination, another 19 cases were confirmed.

Serhiy Chumak, the Chief State Sanitary Officer of Kyiv said, collected water samples from three schools, bottled water stored in shelters, and two district water wells. Lab tests for bacterial, chemical, and viral contaminants (including hepatitis A) all came back within normal limits. Students from affected schools have temporarily switched to remote learning.

The Kyiv Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized that the epidemiological investigation is ongoing to determine the source and factors contributing to the spread of the infection.