Investigation of Acute Hepatitis C Outbreak in A Hospital in Southern Taiwan, 2017

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.202004_36(7).0001

Jia-Rong Wu*, Chiao-Wen Lin, Jen-Te Wang, Tsui-Feng Lee

2020 Vol.36 NO.7

Correspondence Author： Jia-Rong Wu*

Abstract：

      In 2017, an acute hepatitis C outbreak was suspected in a hemodialysis center of a hospital in Southern Taiwan. Three long-term hemodialysis patients were found seroconversion of anti-hepatitis C antibody within one year. Three cases were confirmed as acute hepatitis C cases because of detectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels. Health authorities carried out investigation in the hospital to determine the epidemic scale, the cause and to implement infection control measures. From March 1st to December 9th, 2017, 3 persons had anti-HCV seroconversion within one year. The nucleic acid sequence similarity of  HCV RNA from two of the three cases was 98.9%. After intervention implemented by public health authorities and experts and improvement of infection control in the hospital, no new cases were identified after December 8th, 2018. The experience from this outbreak investigation and management provides an infection control reference to hemodialysis institutions and health authorities.