BEIRUT, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The number of Hepatitis A cases in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli reached 174 since its emergence in the past week, Lebanon's Public Health Ministry announced on Monday.

       The ministry said in a statement that it is conducting lab tests in the area to determine whether the cases were caused by contaminated water.

       The North Lebanon Water Authority, a government department in charge of Tripoli's water use, insists the water is clean and free of any contaminants.

       Youssef Bakhash, head of the Syndicates of Physicians in Lebanon, warned of the spread of Hepatitis A in the country and blamed the disease's rapid increase in infections on a shortage of potable water, poor healthcare and the lack of proper sanitation and hygiene.

       He also called on the government to launch a vaccination campaign to protect citizens from the disease.