The incidence of viral hepatitis in Bulgaria up to September 2006 has increased by 45 per cent compared to the same period in 2005. The increase is related mainly to two hepatitis A outbreaks in the regions of Sofia and Plovdiv. The outbreak in the Sofia region in July-August was linked to contaminated water in the municipality of Svoge.

The majority of cases reported since August have occurred in Plovdiv, in southern central Bulgaria, and predominantly in the city's Stolipinovo and Sheker Mahala neighbourhoods, where people belonging to the Roma ethnic minority live. In Stolipinovo, 75 percent of cases were in children aged 1 to 9. Sanitation and hygiene conditions in the Plovdiv area are poor and include illegal dung hills, a substandard sewage system and an irregular water supply.

In response to the outbreak, the Bulgarian government is releasing emergency funds to help improve sanitation and food safety. An immunisation campaign against hepatitis A in Plovdiv was launched on 13 September 2006, targeting children from 2 to 18 years of age living in the Stolipinovo neighbourhood.

Web site: WHO – Water-related diseases – Hepatitis A and E ; CDC - Viral Hepatitis A

Source: Vesna Poljak, Bloomberg, 6 Oct 2006 ; Eurosurveillance, 5 Oct 2006

Tags: water-related diseases