A total of 32 new cases of hepatitis were registered in Stara Zagora overnight, the head of the infectious disease department Valeria Filipova told the Bulgarian news agency (BTA) on January 6 2011.

More than 270 people are confirmed ill, and 214 of them have been hospitalised.

Starting at 11am on January 6, medical authorities will set up an "operational headquarters" to monitor the spread of the infection. Additional information on prevention of treatment of hepatitis will be made available later in the day, the report said.

Amid the growing hype surrounding the infection, Health Minister Stephen Konstantinov said on January 5 that the problem with hepatitis A in Stara Zagora and surrounding communities has been exaggerated. He said that the reason for the epidemic will be investigated, but there is no cause for general alarm.

In just one week, a total of 236 patients were diagnosed and admitted with the viral disease. Dr Nikolay Kolev, head of Stara Zagora hospital.

Medical authorities, however, say that the level of infection in the country is "only normal" because, in the preceding two years (2008-2009), the number of people infected by hepatitis was "unseasonably low".

Additionally, not all cases of hepatitis require hospitalisation, the report said.

In the city of Stara Zagora, however, authorities said that the disease had reached epidemic proportions. Those already infected will have to be isolated and treated. The incubation period of the disease is between eight and 30 days on average but can vary from 15 to 50 days, the report said.