Czech Health Ministry briefs Romea.cz on the current outbreak of hepatitis A among children in Ostrava: Residential hotels are not the main site of infection

Of those cases, 43 are in children between the ages of 1 and 17. The Regional Public Health Authority was instructed to undertake targeted anti-epidemic measures with up to 400 people who have been in what is called epidemiologically significant contact with infected persons.

“The unfavorable epidemiological situation was also discussed in the Regional Epidemiological Commission. In that context, for example, information was circulated requesting collaboration with arranging for anti-epidemic measures in the residential hotels on City of Ostrava territory through leaflets or recommendations to increase the frequency with which common areas and sanitary facilities are being disinfected,” said Zuzana Babišová, director of the Moravian-Silesian Regional Public Health Authority, in a press release.

Persons who have come into contact with the infected and who are themselves susceptible to infection are now being vaccinated against hepatitis A. The vaccinations are provided either by the doctors registering their cases, by certain general practitioners (GP), or for those without a GP, by the Clinic for Infectious Medicine at the Ostrava Teaching Hospital.

The Czech Health Ministry has provided a total of 168 doses of vaccinations against hepatitis A. They are paid for by public health insurance.

“Certainly there is no reason to panic, although a certain amount of caution and emphasis on prevention are appropriate. A person comes into contact with the hepatitis A virus by bringing contaminated hands toward the mouth, whether directly or indirectly through food. If that person is not vaccinated against hepatitis A, it is appropriate to emphasize hand hygiene after coming into contact with objects and surfaces which are frequently touched by other people’s hands, typically, for example, the handrails in public transportation, door handles in public spaces, shopping carts, money, the buttons of payment terminals or even gas station pumps. However, this applies year-round, everywhere, not just here and now,“ said Rastislav Maďar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Ostrava University and the head of their Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health Protection.

Interview with Matyáš Fošum, director of the Department of Public Health Protection at the Czech Health Ministry

Q: What are the current statistics on those infected and what is the predicted development of the epidemic?

A: The Moravian-Silesian Regional Public Health Authority is actively monitoring the situation, the epidemiological investigation is still underway, targeted anti-epidemic measures have been set up for exposed persons and affected facilities aiming to curb outbreaks of this infection. That means the emphasis is especially on prevention. As of today we have had 44 cases of this disease since 22 April.

We need to understand that in the Czech Republic there is no persistent source of hepatitis A. This epidemic is local and can be controlled thanks to good collaboration between the persons at risk and the Regional Public Health Authority. In order to quickly control the epidemic, what is necessary is the cooperation of those who have been in contact with the infected.

Q: Where are the main flashpoints of infection? Are they the residential hotels, as some media are reporting, or is the situation different?

A: The main flashpoints of infection are not located in the residential hotels, they are located in apartment buildings occupied by larger groups of people. Specifically, they are in the locality around one building in Ostrava – Přívoz. One residential hotel where some people are sick has been given a decision to establish anti-epidemic measures. In that facility, disinfection has to happen, for example, in the common areas on all surfaces such as door handles, the railings of staircases, switches, etc., continuous disinfection must be performed, or hand disinfectants with a virucidal effect have to be provided for the staff there.

Q: What measures have been taken to limit the spread of infection? What preventive measures do you recommend to the public, especially in communities where there is a higher risk of infection?

A: In connection with these cases, almost 400 epidemiologically significant contacts were traced and decisions were issued to those who are sick as well as to their contacts to undertake anti-epidemic measures (increased medical supervision). These epidemiologically significant persons and the sick were provided post-exposure vaccinations – these are vaccines against hepatitis A which are covered by the Health Ministry budget in order to secure the public health. There is no financial cost for those who are sick or for their contacts.  

Increased medical supervision generally consists of monitoring the state of your health and going for check-ups. While they are under medical supervision, persons suspected of having been infected cannot do the following:

• Visit others or hold family or social activities;
• Work in the grocery sector or places where people eat together; and
• They must pay more attention to their personal hygiene and disinfect their households more than usual.

For persons without a GP or pediatrician, their health care provider is the Clinic for Infectious Medicine at the Ostrava Teaching Hospital.

The Regional Public Health Authority is addressing the situation in the region comprehensively. It is communicating with GP offices, emergency services, health care facilities, representatives of municipal departments, the Regional Authority and nonprofit organizations.

Q: How can Romani people best prevent hepatitis infections? Could you please provide specific advice and recommendations we could publish on our news server?

Since hepatitis type A is one of the “dirty hands diseases”, as they are called, it is transmitted through fecal matter that reaches the mouth, and protecting yourself against hepatitis A involves the following measures:

• Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands, not just before eating and after using the toilet, but always after returning from being outdoors (e.g., after visiting a shopping center or other public space where people congregate or travelling on public transport);
• Use an alcohol-based disinfectant for your hands;
• If you have health problems such as yellowing eyes, yellowing skin, dark urine, or light-colored stool, contact your doctor as soon as possible and get medical aid;
• Get a vaccination.