This appeared on my Facebook page via the British Embassy Sofia (thanks to them )

Quote :

British Embassy Sofia
On Wednesday 5th January 2011, the Bulgarian Health Ministry advised of a Hepatitis A outbreak in South Western Bulgaria. 142 cases have been reported in Stara Zagora, 26 in Kazanlak, 16 in Chirpan, 15 in Galabov. Y should practice strict oufood, water and personal hygiene precautions. Information on vaccination and further guidance on Hepatitis A is available at the NaTHNaC link.

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//www.
nathnac.
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Thank you for the update on this I did read it earler in echo so here's what they say

With the arrival of winter, people are bound to fall victim to one influenza or another, as their immune system struggles to acclimatise and cope with deteriorating conditions.

Apart from the "
cocktail"
of influenzas, promised by doctors for the winter, the number of patients suffering from hepatitis at the turn of the year is also rising steadily, according to epidemiology consultant professor Mira Kozhuharova, cited by Focus news agency on January 5 2011.

In particular, the number of patients diagnosed with hepatitis A in Stara Zagora is growing alarmingly.

In just one week, a total of 236 patients were diagnosed and admitted with the viral disease. Dr Nikolay Kolev, head of Stara Zagora hospital, said that the contamination's spread cannot be attributed to poor hygiene habits because most of the patients admitted "
exercised professions in which immaculate levels of hygiene were mandatory"
, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reported.

Medical authorities, however, say that the level of infection in the country is "
only normal"
because, in the preceding two years (2008-2009), the number of people infected by hepatitis was "
unseasonably low"
.

In the city of Stara Zagora, however, authorities said that the disease had reached epidemic proportions. Those already infected will have to be isolated and treated. The incubation period of the disease is between 8-30 days on average but can vary from 15 to 50 days, the report said.

Meanwhile, inspectors are monitoring schools in the city, ensuring that they comply with hygiene regulations and disinfection regimes. They are also checking the state of sanitary facilities and drinking water, BNT reported.

The investigation has also taken the authorities to the hydro electric power plant Maritsa Iztok, where 12 per cent of those infected in the city are reportedly employed.

Hepatitis: 32 new cases in Stara Zagora in one day

A total of 32 new cases of hepatitis were registered in Stara Zagora overnight, the head of the infectious disease department Valeria Filipova told the Bulgarian news agency (BTA) on January 6 2011.

More than 270 people are confirmed ill, and 214 of them have been hospitalised.

Starting at 11am on January 6, medical authorities will set up an "
operational headquarters"
to monitor the spread of the infection. Additional information on prevention of treatment of hepatitis will be made available later in the day, the report said.

Amid the growing hype surrounding the infection, Health Minister Stephen Konstantinov said on January 5 that the problem with hepatitis A in Stara Zagora and surrounding communities has been exaggerated. He said that the reason for the epidemic will be investigated, but there is no cause for general alarm.

In just one week, a total of 236 patients were diagnosed and admitted with the viral disease. Dr Nikolay Kolev, head of Stara Zagora hospital.

Medical authorities, however, say that the level of infection in the country is "
only normal"
because, in the preceding two years (2008-2009), the number of people infected by hepatitis was "
unseasonably low"
.

Additionally, not all cases of hepatitis require hospitalisation, the report said.

In the city of Stara Zagora, however, authorities said that the disease had reached epidemic proportions. Those already infected will have to be isolated and treated. The incubation period of the disease is between eight and 30 days on average but can vary from 15 to 50 days, the report said.

[size=55:2ks0ro13]Standart 12 Jan 2011

Beware of Coffee Machines
Hepatitis epidemic in central Bulgaria might be triggered by infected water

Coffee machines in the city of Stara Zagora were infected with the hepatic virus. One of the leads that experts are working on is that these machines were filled with dirty water that triggered the epidemic spread of the disease in the region. Yesterday the Stara Zagora hospitals admitted another 29 new patients. “We have not spotted the hotbed of infection yet, but it is true that most of the coffee machines are working without proper sanitation control,” said chief of the regional inspectorate for public health control Dr. Elena Kaneva. Only 23 machines in the entire region are under the inspectorate’s control despite the fact that they fall into the category of “public food services.” In Stara Zagora alone there are 200 unlicensed coffee machines, admitted deputy mayor Belcho Belchev. Municipal authorities issue permits for their installation but are not eligible to exercise sanitation control.