Hepatitis A in Alba County: two active outbreaks, vaccination refused by many contacts

The Alba Public Health Directorate (DSP) has announced that there are currently two active hepatitis A outbreaks in the county — one in the municipality of Alba Iulia and another in the locality of Valea Lungă.

The outbreak in Alba Iulia, located in the Lumea Nouă neighbourhood, is a community outbreak with 18 confirmed cases and 96 identified contacts. Of these, only 11 have agreed to vaccination, with a further 3 currently in the process of being immunised.

The second outbreak, declared in Valea Lungă, has 5 confirmed cases and 36 contacts, of whom 23 have already been vaccinated.

By age group, the confirmed cases break down as follows: 3 children aged 0 to 4, 10 children aged 5 to 9, 7 children aged 10 to 14, 1 person aged 15 to 19, and 2 people aged 20 to 24.

How the disease spreads

DSP Alba explains that hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease transmitted primarily via the faecal-oral route, through unwashed hands, contaminated water or food, contaminated objects, or direct contact with an infected person. The virus is shed through faecal matter and can persist in the environment for a period of time.

The incubation period is, on average, 28 to 30 days, ranging from 15 to 50 days. The authorities point out that an infected person can transmit the virus even before symptoms appear, which facilitates the spread of the disease within the community.

Recommendations from the authorities

DSP Alba notes that educational establishments are operating in close proximity to one of the outbreaks, which is why it is emphasising the importance of adhering to measures to prevent transmission of the disease.

The institution recommends that people in the affected areas observe isolation measures — both for those diagnosed and for their contacts — and stresses the importance of rigorous hand and food hygiene.

Public health inspectors are calling on the community to comply with preventive measures, placing particular emphasis on accurate information, strict hygiene, rapid case identification, isolation of infected individuals, and vaccination of those for whom it is recommended.