Outbreak Investigation
An Outbreak Investigation of Acute Hepatitis A in Northern Taiwan, 2016
DOI: 10.6525/TEB.201807_34(13).0001Ju-Hui Lin1*, Yu-Ju Chou1, Chen-Huang Yang1, Yu-Hsin Liao2, Jyh-Yuan Yang2, Tzu-Chun Chen1, Jhy-Wen Wu1, Kun-Bin Wu1
2018 Vol.34 NO.13
Correspondence Author： Ju-Hui Lin1*
- 1Northern Regional Center, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of health and Welfare, Taiwan
- 2Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development,Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan
Abstract：
The Northern Regional Center of Taiwan Centers for Disease Control detected and investigated a workplace cluster of acute hepatitis A in 2016. Three cases, including 2 male and 1 female, were diagnosed as acute hepatitis A infection. The genotypes of the virus isolated were all IA cluster 1, and were 100% identical. In addition to the traditional transmission route of food and environment, the 2 male cases might be transmitted through unprotected sex. An MSM-related hepatitis A cluster extending to workplace setting was highly suspected. Because of medical staffs’ timely report and public health staffs’ aggressive intervention, such as health education and vaccination for the contacts, the cluster was soon under control. Effective preventive and control measures rely on cooperation between public health bureaus and healthcare institutions, early intervention, encouragement of hepatitis A vaccination, and robust disease reporting system.
