Hepatitis A cases on the rise in Apayao towns

By Charlie Lagasca

KABUGAO, Apayao -- Cases of hepatitis A have been on the rise in this province.

Reports said 52 cases of hepatitis A have been monitored in the province this year, including more than 20 villagers afflicted since August in this town that declared an outbreak of the disease.    

According to the provincial health office, most of the patients were students of the Kabugao Central School, the Apayao Community Learning Center, and Our Lady of Lourdes High School.

Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit officer Mary Ann Canonizado said they have taken blood samples to determine the cause of the outbreak, which is believed to have come from contaminated food and water. 

Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by a virus usually spread through the fecal-oral route and transmitted person-to-person through the ingestion of contaminated food or water or through direct contact with an infected person.