Following the floods caused by recent heavy rains that affected the Varna port and some Bulgarian Black Sea resorts, there is a high risk that the sea water is infected with the hepatitis A virus, according to information published by Bulgarian specialists, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns in a statement.

Specialists recommend tourists to avoid eating raw mussels, to shower after bathing in the sea, and strictly respect the sanitary rules. For their own safety, those who plan to spend their holidays on the Bulgarian coast this year are also asked to be vaccinated against hepatitis A.

However, some Bulgarian health pundits said that the risks were greatly exaggerated and that nobody stands to be infected if bathing in the Black Sea.

The authorities have not said whether this warning and the infection possibility could spread to the national waters of other countries at the Black Sea, Romania included.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com