Penza, 28 August 2012. PenzaNews. The Prosecutor’s Office of Luninsky area of the Penza region identified the preconditions for viral hepatitis A mass infection of people in the framework of the check on the disease outbreak. This was stated by Senior Assistant Prosecutor of the Penza region Yuliya Makarova on Tuesday, August 28.

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“According to preliminary data, the mass outbreak of hepatitis A could occur because of deterioration of water supply facilities, untimely documentation for reconstruction and repair of water pipes, non-implementation of main activities in the sanitary protection zones of artesian wells and other violations,” she said.

Yuliya Makarova explained that according to the prosecutor’s check, Lunino administration officials and LLC Komkhoz managers (the company provides water supply services) systematically violated the rules of the federal legislation and sanitary regulations.

“Investigative authorities opened a criminal case under part 1 of Article 238 of the Criminal Code of Russian Federation “Production, storage, transportation or sale of goods and products, works or services that do not meet safety requirements,” she reminded.

As reported earlier, specialists of Penza Rospotrebnadzor (Federal Service on Surveillance for Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being) link the disease outbreak with the quality of spring water.

18 cases of hepatitis A were recorded in the Penza region since the beginning of August 2012. Two more people were hospitalized with jaundice after contact with sick people in Penza.