Emergency response to contain hepatitis outbreak in Mahjah, Daraa

Mahjah town in Daraa countryside is suffering from a health crisis after more than 100 cases of hepatitis A were recorded in a short period, amid serious fears of its becoming an epidemic.

The Ministry of Health in the Syrian Interim Government confirmed that it is implementing an urgent response to contain the hepatitis A outbreak in the town, following a surge in cases since April 14th, which peaked between April 19th and 20th according to a statement issued on Monday.

The ministry indicated in its statement that its staff conducted an investigation on April 21st, which revealed 58 suspected cases, as the infections were concentrated in specific neighborhoods and were particularly prevalent among children, with transmission within families also being recorded.

Regarding environmental analyses, the statement revealed bacterial contamination in some water sources, along with risk factors such as the proximity of residential areas and livestock to wells, inadequate chlorination, water leaks, and the use of sewage water for irrigation.

The statement also indicated that laboratory results confirmed that the infections were caused by the hepatitis A virus, announcing the commencement of measures to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, disinfect water sources, implement environmental interventions, and intensify community awareness campaigns.

The statement further noted the ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak and monitor the epidemiological situation daily, recommending the safety of water sources through the cleaning and disinfection of wells, keeping human settlements and livestock away from them, ensuring continuous chlorination, and prohibiting the use of wastewater in agriculture.