13. June 2005 17:16
Drinking the local beer has landed some 461 Russians in hospital with Hepatitis A and Tver Governor Dmitry Zelenin fully expects that number to rise over the next few days.
Presently around 40 new cases are being reported each day.
The outbreak in southwest Russia's Tver region, is believed to have been caused by a local beer, produced by the Rjevpivo brewery.
As a result, sales of the beer have been suspended.
The newly hospitalised are apparently in better condition than those who fell ill a few days before, which is probably an indication that the illness is now being diagnosed in its early stages.
According to spokesman Igor Gmyza seven people have already been released from hospital.
A number of cases have also been recorded in Moscow and the western province of Smolensk.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral infection of the liver.
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