The first reported hepatitis E outbreak in a food manufacturing factory: Korea, 2022
10.24171/j.phrp.2022.0305
- Author:
Hansol YEOM
1
;
Soonryu SEO
;
Youngsil YOON
;
Jaeeun LEE
;
Myung-Guk HAN
;
Deog-Yong LEE
;
Sun-Whan PARK
;
Song A PARK
;
Sook-Hyang JEONG
;
Jin GWACK
Author Information
1. Division of Infectious Disease Response, Capital Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives
2023;14(1):15-22
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:On February 16, 2022, 12 cases of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection were reported in a food manufacturing factory in Korea. The aim of this study was to identify additional cases and to determine the source of this HEV outbreak.
Methods:This study was an in-depth investigation of 12 HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM)-positive cases and their demographic, clinical, and epidemiological characteristics. On-site specimens were collected from the environment and from humans, and a follow-up investigation was conducted 2 to 3 months after the outbreak.
Results:Among 80 production workers in the factory, 12 (15.0%) had acute HEV infection, all of whom were asymptomatic. The follow-up investigation showed that 3 cases were HEV IgM-positive, while 6 were HEV IgG-positive. HEV genes were not detected in the HEV IgM-positive specimens. HEV genes were not detected in the food products or environmental specimens collected on-site. HEV was presumed to be the causative pathogen. However, it could not be confirmed that the source of infection was common consumption inside the factory.
Conclusion:This was the first domestic case of an HEV infection outbreak in a food manufacturing factory in Korea. Our results provide information for the future control of outbreaks and for the preparation of measures to prevent domestic outbreaks of HEV infection.
