In a primary school in east China's Jiangxi Province thirteen students have been diagnosed with hepatitis A, said local health authorities on Saturday.

 

The outbreak was detected in mid December in Baiyuan Primary School in Poyang County but was under control, said Huang Songquan, director of the county health bureau.

Huang said the students were in hospital and their conditions were stable.

 

The health bureau disinfected the school and inoculated more than 300 students and teachers.

 

An initial investigation has excluded the drinking water sources and school canteen but nearby snack outlets are being investigated as the possible cause of the outbreak, according to the bureau. Further investigations into the cause of the outbreak are ongoing.

 

In a separate case 107 people in Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were confirmed to have hepatitis A last week.

 

Hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, is caused by infectious or toxic agents and characterized by jaundice, fever, liver enlargement, and abdominal pain.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2006)