An increase in the number of hepatitis A cases has been observed since June 2015. Among the cases, a significant increase in the number of HIV and hepatitis A co-infection cases has also been observed. In addition, all of the reported cases are male and the outbreak has continued to persist. Hence, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) points out that as male HIV-infected individuals are at increasedrisk for the ongoing outbreak, they are urged to receive self-paid hepatitis A vaccination, avoid direct or indirect oral-anal contact with others and take appropriate prevention measures to ward off infection.

To prevent further transmission of the ongoing hepatitis A outbreak, Taiwan CDC implemented the one-year “Free Hepatitis A Vaccination Pilot Program for Contacts of Confirmed Cases” on March 11, 2016. “Contacts” mean family members or people residing in the same household and sexual partners that were born in and prior to 1971 who do not have hepatitis A antibodies or those that were born in and after 1972 and are aged above 12 months can receive one government-funded dose of hepatitis A vaccine under the arrangement of the local health authority to lower the risk of developing the disease. Six months to a year later, the same individuals can receive the second dose at their own expense in order to ensure long-term protection against the virus.

According to the surveillance data collected by Taiwan CDC, during June 2015 and March 10, 2016, a total of  79 cases of HIV and hepatitis A co-infection were reported in Taiwan. All of them are Taiwanese male. They aged between 22 and 47. The average age is 30.8. Men who have sex with men is a major risk factor for HIV infection. Most cases reside in areas north of Taoyuan, including 44.3% of the total cases reside in  New Taipei City, 29.1% reside in Taipei City, and 8.9% reside in Taoyuan City. Further, new cases have been reported in other cities and counties, indicating the spread of the outbreak.

Hepatitis A virus infectionis transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Infections occur after ingesting contaminated food or water or having direct or indirect oral-anal contact with infected individuals. Taiwan CDC reminds the public that hepatitis A vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent hepatitis A. The 2-dose HepA vaccineseries spaced 6 to 12 months lasts for over 20 years. Protection against hepatitis A is achieved in over 95% of the individuals after receiving the first dose. At-risk individuals and contacts of such individuals should beproactive about hepatitis A vaccinations and take prevention measures,including washing hands with soap and water before and after sexualintercourse, avoiding direct or indirect oral-anal contact with infected individuals, practicing good food hygiene, and avoiding the consumption of undercooked food and unboiled water, in order to ward off infection. If symptoms develop, please seek immediate medical attention. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).