The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 4th December 2024
by Mike Evans
A very good day to you all across the region. I am starting this report with the news that there are still a number of young people and some children who have contracted the dangerous virus Hepatitis A.
An outbreak of hepatitis A remains active in the Algarve region, with a total of 25 cases to date, with the first case reported on 15/08/2024 and the most recent on 26/11/2024”, informed the Algarve regional health delegate, after the Baixo Alentejo Public Health Unit (USP) revealed last Friday the existence of an outbreak of hepatitis A, originating in the Algarve, with six cases in the Bairro das Pedreiras, in Beja.
In the Algarve, the outbreak has predominantly affected children and young people, with 16 reported cases, and also adults (nine), including a health professional, the regional health authority added. Those affected are residents of three clusters in the municipality of Faro and one in the municipality of Olhão, “in homes with poor hygiene and health conditions, which favors the transmission of this type of disease”, explains the same source.
According to the health authority, “outside this community, but epidemiologically linked to this outbreak”, there was one case in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region, “where the child was temporarily with the family”, and six in the Alentejo region.
All identified cases were symptomatic, with fever, jaundice, acholia, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, among others.
According to the Algarve regional health delegate, an epidemiological investigation, including environmental investigation, was carried out, “which was inconclusive as to the origin of the outbreak”.
To prevent the transmission of the disease, contact identification was carried out, vaccination against hepatitis A was carried out, with 157 eligible people “accepting to be vaccinated”, and information actions were carried out for affected families. Regarding measures to prevent transmission, meetings were held with those responsible for municipalities where the outbreak remains active, also involving institutions and non-governmental organizations that provide support to more vulnerable populations.
The Algarve regional health delegate highlights “the importance of implementing measures to prevent transmission and reinforcing vaccination among individuals at greater risk of exposure” and requests, in case of suspicion, that SNS24 (808 24 24 24) be contacted for screening and advice.
Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver that can cause mild to severe illness. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person . Almost everyone recovers fully from hepatitis A with lifelong immunity.
This time of year is also when the flu virus is around so make sure you are all stocked up with flu remedies or have the flu vaccination for those eligible.
Now a look at some of the stories from around the region in the past week.
1 Dead and 2 Seriously Injured in Motorway Crash
A man said to be in his 50s died and two others, aged 45 and 90, were seriously injured in a head-on collision on the Algarve’s A22 motorway this Friday afternoon (November 29).
The accident occurred at kilometer 22, between Lagoa and Portimão, as one of the vehicles involved was driving against the flow of traffic.
The crash happened shortly after 2pm, prompting authorities to close the A22 in both directions. The two victims who sustained serious injuries were taken to Portimão Hospital. It is still unclear why one of the vehicles was driving the wrong way on the motorway, a source from the Algarve’s civil protection command told Lusa news agency. There are several signposts at all entrances and exits of the motorway warning drivers to stop if they happen to enter the A22 incorrectly.
Burglar Of Luxury Homes Arrested in Loulé
GNR police arrested a 37-year-old man on November 27 for a series of burglaries targeting luxury residences in the municipality of Loulé, home to the Algarve’s famous Golden Triangle comprising Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura.
The arrest followed an 18-month investigation into thefts that targeted high-end homes in the municipality, which led to the identification and location of the suspect. Acting on this evidence, authorities executed both a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and an arrest warrant. During the operation, police seized various items believed to be linked to the burglaries, including jewelry and watches, €3,650 in cash and 50 Canadian dollars.
The suspect was due to be heard in court.
Faro promotes 1st Municipal Volunteer Meeting
The municipality of Faro celebrates International Volunteer Day on December 5th by holding the 1st Municipal Volunteer Meeting. The event will take place at the University of Algarve (Penha Campus), Pedagogical Complex – Amphitheatre 1.5, between 9am and 5pm.
The initiative is co-organized by the University of Algarve (UAlg) and the institution’s Volunteer Group, UAlg V+, and aims to “mobilize and inspire citizens to volunteer, raise awareness of the relevance of cooperation, social responsibility and volunteering, as well as the importance of exercising participatory citizenship in order to optimize available resources”.
The Faro Volunteer Platform will be presented during the event, and will be available here .
“It is intended to be a connecting instrument between people who express their availability and willingness to volunteer and entities that promote volunteering”, the local authority highlights in a statement.
For more information, contact +351 289 870 869 or email dis@cm-faro.pt .
Algarve Water Levels Still Lowest in Country
The amount of water stored in river basins was higher than average at the end of November, except in the Lima, Ave, Mira, Ribeiras do Algarve and Arade basins, according to the National Resource Information System Water. On the last day of November and in relation to the last day of the previous month, there was an increase in the volume stored in five river basins and a drop in seven, according to SNIRH.
Of the 60 monitored reservoirs, 11 had water availability greater than 80% of the total volume and 12 had availability below 40%. At the end of November, the river basin of the Barlavento Algarve continued to be the one with the least reserves at 12.6%, the same value as at the end of October. The average for the month of November in this river basin is 55.1%.
According to data from SNIRH, the Arade basin with 30.4%, Mira with 37%, Lima with 50.6% and Ave with 58.8%, are those that retain the least water.
Police to Clamp Down on Speeding Drivers In Run Up to Christmas
The National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), the PSP and the GNR have begun the “Travel Without Hurry” road campaign, in a bid to alert drivers to the dangers of excesses on the roads, especially of speedThe campaign takes place from December 3rd to 9th and is part of the 2024 National Inspection Plan.
The objective of the campaign is “to warn drivers about the risks of driving at high speed, considering that this is one of the main causes of accidents on the roads and is responsible for around 60% of registered infractions”.. These entities highlight, in this regard, that “the probability of fatalities increases depending on the speed at which vehicles travel”.
They give as an example a case of being run over, in which if a vehicle travels at 30 km/h, the probability of the consequences being fatal is 10%, but increasing the speed to 50 km/h, the probability becomes 90%.
ANSR, GNR and PSP remember “speed is the main cause of a third of all fatal accidents” and that the faster you drive, the less time drivers have to immobilize the vehicle when something unexpected happens.
Until the next time Stay Safe