Imported Acute Viral Hepatitis A Outbreak from Cambodia in 2013

Hsuan-Chu Lin, Mei-Jung Chen, Hsin-Chun Lee, Jhy-Wen Wu, Kun-Bin Wu

2014 Vol.30 NO.2

Correspondence Author: Hsuan-Chu Lin

  • Northern Regional Center, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan

Abstract:

      Two cases of acute viral hepatitis A were confirmed on August 5-6, 2013 in Keelung City and Hsinchu County respectively. The case 1 and case 2 dating each other are colleagues working at the same company. They joined a Cambodia tour organized by their company during June 29th - July 5th, 2013. When an epidemic investigation and diagnostic activity were carried out, two additional tour members with suspected symptoms were identified accordingly. They were confirmed as the case 3 and case 4 of acute viral hepatitis A on August 8-9, 2013. As a result, the cluster was identified as an imported acute viral hepatitis A outbreak from Cambodia. Furthermore, another tour member (brother of case 1) developed suspected symptoms on August 29, 2013. He was confirmed as the case 5 on September 6, 2013. In order to reduce the spread of infection in Taiwan, the health authority was actively implementing several measures to control the disease, including tour members’ contact tracing, household contacts’ health care and epidemic surveillance. The experience could be shared with other health organizations when deal with a similar epidemic.