Roma accuse mayor of prejudice after hepatitis outbreak

The Roma community at the Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County village of Nyírmihálydi (pop.: 2,000) is demanding compensation from Mayor Ferenc Nyisztor for denigrating local Roma with recent statements. Nyisztor blamed the local Roma for the ongoing hepatitis A epidemic in the village, citing improper hygiene.

Nyisztor earlier threatened to withhold social allowances unless the Roma residents improved hygiene by building an outdoor toilet for every family. Eventually, the allowances were paid on schedule on Monday, but the mood in the village remains tense.

The hepatitis A virus was diagnosed in the village several weeks ago and the National Public Health Service (ÁNTSZ) initiated vaccination of every resident aged between two and 20. It also ordered a number of homes to be sanitized as the disease spreads fastest where personal hygiene is poor. Nyisztor then announced that he would withhold social allowances to families that fail to build an outdoor toilet. Reportedly, the mayor's threat achieved its goal, because eight additional outdoor toilets have been built in the village in recent days.

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