In view of the increase in hepatitis A cases, the Ministry of Health authorities have issued an appeal to the public.
Hepatitis A cases on the rise
As of September 2023, a total of 1,435 laboratory-confirmed cases of hepatitis A have been recorded, a continued increase this year compared to the previous year’s total of 118 diagnoses in 2022, with a year-on-year increase of 1,317 cases. Confirmed cases. Similar behavior also occurred in 2019, with a total of 1,584 cases.
In the 39th epidemiological week of this year, the province of San José reported the highest number of laboratory-confirmed cases with 960, followed by the province of Alajuela with 167 confirmed cases and the province of Heredia with 94. confirmed cases. . The province with the fewest confirmed cases is Puntarenas.
The Ministry of Health investigated the confirmed cases and their contacts and formulated necessary recommendations and hygiene measures to avoid infection and protect people’s health. In addition, active surveillance of cases and monitoring of instances is conducted in coordination with other health departments.
Health authorities urge people to wash their hands and maintain hygienic practices when preparing food; In addition, if you develop fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, general malaise, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), and/or dark urine If you have any symptoms, please go to the nearest health center. (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.