Hepatitis A cases have increased significantly this year

Health ministry authorities on Monday reported a sharp increase in hepatitis A cases this year. The group has registered 1,435 cases as of September 2023, while a total of 118 cases were detected throughout 2022.

This difference of 1,317 patients represents a rebound of 1,116%. However, the health department reports that this statistical behavior is similar to 2019, with 1,584 cases during the same period, compared to 1,080 cases registered in 2018.

As of the 39th epidemiological week of this year (September 24-30), San Jose Province has the largest cumulative number of laboratory-confirmed cases, with a total of 960 cases; Alajuela ranks second with 167 confirmed cases. In third place is Heredia with 94 confirmed cases. The province with the lowest infection rate is Puntarenas.

this hepatitis A is a highly contagious disease that attacks the liver. It occurs due to ingestion of water or food contaminated with feces. The routes of transmission are anus, hands and mouth.

The ministry called on people to wash their hands and maintain hygiene measures when preparing food.

Likewise, you are advised to visit the nearest health center if you develop symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, general malaise, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and/or dark complexion. Urine (biliuria) ).

Likewise, parents who have minor children attending school should not send them to education centers if they are sick to avoid spreading the virus to other children or teenagers.

An infected person can spread the virus about two weeks before symptoms appear, and within the next 7 days.