The outbreak of hepatitis A detected in early October in Santa Eulària des Riu now has 23 confirmed infections, according to the latest update from the Servei de Salut de Baleares. The number of contacts summoned for vaccination amounts to 513 adults and 378 children, totaling almost 900 people.
To date, 289 adults (56.3% of those vaccinated) and 221 children (58.5%) have been vaccinated, following a second call to increase immunization coverage. The outbreak originated in a school in Villa del Río and also affected two schools. Initially, 16 cases were confirmed, but the figure rose to 19 at the end of October and now stands at 23. Initial investigations indicated a mother-subsidiary epidemiological relationship in some cases and transmission by close contact between children associated with the three schools.
Preventive measures
Public Health has insisted on the vaccination of close contacts as the main strategy to stop the spread of the virus. In addition, schools have been asked to take extreme hygienic measures, especially in bathrooms and canteens, and epidemiological alerts have been sent to all health centers on the island. The outbreak has generated concern in the local community, but authorities reiterate that vaccination is key to control the situation. Hepatitis A, which affects the liver, is generally asymptomatic in children under six years of age, but can have more serious complications in adults or people with risk factors.
