T

he Health Ministry has launched an investigation of recent Hepatitis A outbreaks in several regions of West Java.

The ministry will present its findings at a coordination meeting with a panel of experts who will decide on measures to control the spread of the virus.

Hepatitis A has been reported in several locations in Bandung, Tasikmalaya and Depok over the last two months, most recently striking 89 students and a teacher from SMKN 2 Depok state vocational school.

“Patients have been recovering under the care of local health officials,” ministry disease control and environmental health chief Tjandra Yoga Aditama told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Fifty-four elementary school students in Tasikmalaya have contracted hepatitis in the last three weeks, suffering from fevers and weakness, which are common symptoms of hepatitis A.

Meanwhile, 40 students from Parahyangan University in Bandung contracted hepatitis in October.

The West Java administration declared the outbreaks an extraordinary situation (KLB) in the province.

Tjandra said poor food hygiene at canteens near the schools was the likely cause of the infections, although epidemiological investigations would continue to develop a complete picture of the outbreak.

“We will inspect schools because eating meals together is common at schools,” he said, adding that the ministry would also inspect factories and offices equipped with canteens.

SMKN 2 Depok students were given a one-week vacation as part of efforts to control the spread of the outbreak.

In Bandung, Parahyangan University students were reportedly serving their own meals or buying more expensive food at cleaner canteens to avoid infection.

Hepatitis A is an acute liver infection that is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). A person afflicted with the virus exhibits several symptoms, including fevers, abdominal pain, muscle aches and jaundice.

While hepatitis A does not destroy the liver and is usually self-limiting, people who suffer from hepatitis B and C can develop chronic infections that might lead to liver cirrhosis or even liver
cancer.

The livers of most victims of hepatitis A infections usually
heal completely without lasting
effects.

“Like dengue, people suffering from hepatitis A may die; but usually, the patients die of complications of the disease and not because of the infection itself. Therefore, hepatitis-A infected people should have proper medical treatment to prevent the complications of the disease,” Sangkot Marzuki, a clinical microbiologist from the Eijkman Institute, said.

The province’s health authority recorded that 24 university students and residents living near the campus of Parahyangan University have been treated for the disease.

Despite its low mortality rate, the hepatitis A virus spreads easily and tends to emerge in epidemics or outbreaks.

In previous years, local governments in several provinces declared a KLB status for hepatitis A.

Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih said hygiene and sanitation were the only ways to prevent the outbreak.

“It’s important to make hand-washing with soap a habit and to encourage the use of alcohol as the sanitation standard for hospitals as well,” she said, adding that the HAV-infected people should rest and eat well.

Although hepatitis A was self-limiting, the disease still has an effect on its victims. “The healing process may take quite a long time, possibly resulting in a heavier burden on public health,” Endang said.