The Hunan Province Department of Health announced on Tuesday that 39 students at Fugui Primary School in Guanling Town had been infected with hepatitis A. An epidemiological investigation led them to conclude that the infections were probably caused by drinking unboiled water.

A department spokesman said that the epidemic is now under "effective control." No new cases have been reported since May 11, nor have any family members, school faculty or close contacts of the sick students shown symptoms of the illness.

The school reported its first case of hepatitis A on April 26. The students who were infected reportedly all drank unboiled water taken directly from a well at the school.

The primary school, with 645 students and 29 teachers, relies on the well for its water supply, teachers said.

Hepatitis A, an acute liver disease, may be contracted through poor sanitation or personal hygiene habits. Vaccines are also available for prevention of the disease,

(China Daily May 19, 2004)