Health authorities confirm Hepatitis A outbreak on the Costa Verde.
The disease was detected in three neighborhoods of Mangaratiba (Ranchito, Nova Mangaratiba and Praia do Saco), on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro state; technicians are inspecting municipalities to control vectors.
Agência Brasil - An outbreak of hepatitis A in three neighborhoods of Mangaratiba (Ranchito, Nova Mangaratiba and Praia do Saco), on the Costa Verde, south coast of Rio de Janeiro, was confirmed today (9) by the Health Department. Technicians from the Sub-Secretariat of Health Surveillance are already in the region promoting actions to inspect and control water reservoirs and alternative sources (springs, artesian wells and water trucks) in the three locations.
The municipality of Mangaratiba reported that it is providing 15 liters of mineral water for people infected with the disease, in addition to distributing chlorine tablets to be applied to the water in municipal schools and for the population to apply to water tanks.
According to the Superintendent of Epidemiological and Environmental Surveillance, Alexandre Chieppe, there is no indication for vaccination against hepatitis A in Mangaratiba, as foreseen by the National Immunization Program and the Technical Note issued by the Ministry of Health.
"There is even a specific vaccine against the virus that causes hepatitis A. But this vaccine is only recommended in specific situations, such as for people with other chronic liver diseases or who have undergone bone marrow transplantation," he said.
According to Chieppe, the actions recommended by the Health Department are already being developed, including the identification of possible sources of contamination and the adoption of measures aimed at preventing the population from using these sources.