So far this year, 362 cases of Hepatitis A have been treated in five cantons of San José, according to the records of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS). To prevent this number from growing, the authorities call for proper hand washing.
The cases have been registered in the Central-South region of the country, in the cantons of Goicoechea, Desamparados, Alajuelita, Coronado, and the district of Pavas, in San José.
The virus that transmits this disease is in the feces of people and its form of infection is through the mouth.
If there is not proper hand washing after going to the toilet, changing diapers or handling food, your hands could contaminate what you put in your mouth.
After infection and subsequent inflammation of the liver, the person has symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes. These signs could appear up to a month after the contagion.
Daniel Salas, director of Health Surveillance of the Ministry of Health, said that it is normal that these cases are treated in the country. However, during 2018 the disease has had a peculiar behavior, as the cases have been concentrated in some communities.
Due to these figures, the CCSS intensified the campaign “Manitas Limpias” in these five cantons, in order to cut the transmission of Hepatitis A.
Other measures that can be adopted are properly sterilizing syringes, needles and other equipment used for injections and cook properly or bring food to boil for a few minutes if they are already prepared.