Around ten cases of hepatitis A have been observed in Le Havre (Seine-Maritime). Since May 14, nine middle school students have been declared ill at Montesquieu-Sainte-Marie-du-Havre college, including five in the same sixth grade class, and another case was detected in another establishment, according to Paris-Normandy and France Bleu. Several young people were hospitalized as a precaution in the week of May 20.
Hygiene measures
An investigation was opened by the Regional Health Agency (ARS). “ Each of these cases has been the subject of recommendations and reinforced hygiene measures have been put in place at the establishment level in order to avoid transmission. Investigations are continuing to identify the origin of these cases.specifies the institution Paris-Normandy.
Reinforced hygiene measures have been put in place in the colleges concerned: hydroalcoholic gel is provided to students at the start and end of each lesson as well as at the entrance to the establishment, and the equipment is regularly cleaned .
Few serious cases
Hepatitis A is an infectious liver disease that can cause reversible damage. You can only catch it once, then you are immune. Hepatitis A is cured naturally and is only serious in 5 cases out of 1,000. It is transmitted by water contaminated by viruses present in the stools of patients, in certain poorly cooked shellfish and vegetables, or by contaminated objects put in the mouth. Symptoms include fever, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine and jaundice. A vaccine exists.
