Hepatitis A Outbreak in a Facility for the Disabled, Gyeonggi Province, Korea: An Epidemiological Investigation
- Author:
Yeonhwa CHANG
1
;
Chanhee KIM
;
Nayoung KIM
;
Joon Jai KIM
;
Heeyoung LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2021;54(5):370-375
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:The number of cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections has sharply increased in Korea, especially among young adults. In this study, an HAV outbreak in a facility for disabled people was investigated, and we found epidemiological differences both between 2 different generations and between generally abled and disabled groups.
Methods:We analyzed the incubation period and attack rate of an HAV outbreak and investigated the prevalence of HAV antibodies among the staff and residents of a facility for the disabled. We performed a retrospective cohort study during the HAV outbreak, which lasted from February 8 to 25, 2019, including examinations of HAV antibody tests and post-exposure HAV vaccination for the staff or residents of the facility.
Results:There were 9 confirmed cases in 2 staff members and 7 residents. Among 53 people (30 staff and 23 residents), except for the 9 confirmed cases and 1 staff member with a known history of HAV infection, HAV seroprevalence was seen in 16.7% of the staff under 40 years of age and 95.2% of those over 40 years of age, while the corresponding rates in the residents were 0.0% and 58.8%, respectively.
Conclusions:This result implies that it is necessary to prioritize HAV vaccination for vulnerable groups and workers of residential care facilities.
