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- Getting infected: Kamchatka authorities clarify the number of people infected with hepatitis
Getting infected: Kamchatka authorities clarify the number of people infected with hepatitis
So far, the number of people infected with hepatitis B and C in the regional oncology clinic in Kamchatka is 49, but the number could be higher, local authorities have admitted. The outbreak became known in January 2025, but patients could have acquired the virus earlier. The Kamchatka government has allocated 11 million rubles to medical institutions to conduct additional testing for hepatitis in those who were examined at the medical center. The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case of negligence. About who and what responsibility will bear for what happened - in the material "Izvestia".
How to look for infected with hepatitis
Authorities in Kamchatka intend to determine the focus of the virus after the detection of cases of mass infection with hepatitis B and C in the region, said "Izvestia" head of the local Ministry of Health Alexander Gashkov.
In mid-January 2025, the virus was confirmed in 36 patients, all of whom underwent computerized and magnetic resonance imaging with contrast in the regional oncodispensary. Then the number of infected people increased to 49 people.
Over the year, 49 thousand people visited the medical institution, "Izvestia" found out. The Ministry of Health for Kamchatka Krai compiled lists of patients who underwent CT and MRI in the oncodispensary in 2023 and 2024, they were sent notices about the need to take tests for hepatitis. The Kamchatka government allocated 11 million rubles to medical organizations for this diagnostics.
- The main task today is to find out the causes of the virus outbreak, to prevent this situation as much as possible and to provide assistance to each patient who may have been affected, - emphasized the head of the regional Ministry of Health.
On January 18, the Investigative Committee for Kamchatka Territory initiated a criminal case of negligence against "unidentified employees" of the medical facility.
Infection with hepatitis B and C could have occurred during the injection of a contrast agent for procedures, according to Pavel Vorobyov, chairman of the Moscow City Scientific Society of Therapists.
According to the editorial board's source in the law enforcement agencies, the chief physician of the Kamchatka oncology clinic is now under a non-disclosure undertaking . The medical center is preparing a personnel reshuffle.
The perpetrators of the mass infection may face compulsory labor up to five years and deprivation of the right to provide medical services for up to three years or imprisonment up to five years with a similar restriction, believes Maria Lavrentieva, a leading lawyer of the company "De-jure". She also noted that the victims may claim compensation for moral damages and treatment costs.
What the victims said
The mother of one of the brain cancer patients told Izvestia that after treatment in Moscow, her daughter had to undergo MRI with contrast once a year, and they underwent it exactly in the regional oncodispensary in Kamchatka.
- In December 2023 we were given a referral to the oncology center, as children are not done with contrast anywhere else in Kamchatka. On January 13, I received a call from the children's polyclinic and was asked to give my daughter's blood. They explained to me that they had received a letter from Rospotrebnadzor, which said that during the period when we did MRI, it was also done there for a patient with hepatitis ," she said. - The results have already come back. We don't have hepatitis.
Other patients on the Network also share information about being called for examination.
"Patients of the oncodispensary on the appointment of doctors began to take tests for hepatitis, syphilis, pale treponema every month. Although everywhere the term of such tests is two months. I had a CT scan with contrast in December 2024. The incubation period is two to six months. I hope it will pass, - said in one of the comments on social network. - I have three more women with oncology in my neighborhood.
Atthe same time, the regional Ministry of Health reported four cases of self-healing of those infected with hepatitis and 17 cases of cure after therapy.
As infectious disease specialist Oksana Zaichenkova explained to Izvestia, in general, spontaneous disappearance of hepatitis is possible, but rarely - in 1-3% of cases.
- If now the process is inactive, it will still be necessary to lifelong dynamic observation at the infectious disease specialist , as at any time may occur activation of the virus, and then you need treatment, - emphasized the specialist.
Consequences of hepatitis
Both diseases - both hepatitis B and hepatitis C - are able to move into a chronic form and have a devastating effect on liver cells, recalled hepatologist "SM-Clinica" in St. Petersburg Sergei Lopatin. Among the most serious complications - liver failure, malignant neoplasms and cirrhosis.
The doctor noted that modern antiviral drugs can completely cure hepatitis C, while chronic hepatitis B is still more difficult to treat, in some patients it may be incurable. But its course can be controlled with drug therapy.
- Most often infection occurs when using medical instruments for injections and other manipulations with insufficient sterility, direct blood transfusion, - said the expert.
Doctor Ekaterina Kashukh emphasized that hepatitis B and C are often asymptomatic, especially in the early stages. Sometimes, she said, may manifest weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, pain in the abdomen or joints. More characteristic signs are yellowing of the skin and sclerae of the eyes, darkening of the urine and discoloration of the feces.
Due to the nonspecificity of the primary signs of viral hepatitis infection and their low severity, the expert noted, acute hepatitis often goes unrecognized in some patients.
