A Cluster of Indigenous Acute Hepatitis A in HIV Patients, Taipei, Taiwan, 2015

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.20151013.31(19).003

Mei-Lan Hung^1＊, Szu-Hsuan Chen², Chia-Yu Chang³, Yu-Fang Tsai¹, Ying-Shih Su⁴, Jiunn-Shyan Julian Wu¹, Jer-Jea Yen¹

2015 Vol.31 NO.19

Correspondence Author： Mei-Lan Hung

Abstract：

From mid-June to July 26, 2015, six cases of acute hepatitis A infection were reported to the Taipei Regional Center, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (TCDC). The hepatitis A viruses from cases were with 94.5%–99.5% similarity in genotyping. Epidemiologic investigation revealed that all six cases were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected males of active sexual-behavior age, and suggested that the route of transmission of this cluster of acute Hepatitis A was likely to be person-to-person transmission, or possibly unprotected sex including oral and anal sex. We suggest cross-departmental cooperation within health authorities are critical to timely mobilize both case management experts and infectious disease control personnel to jointly implement preventive measures. Health education, personal hygiene and hepatitis A vaccination are the most effective ways to reduce the acute hepatitis A infection risk among high-risk and general population.