To UNITED STATESthe health authorities of California reported an increase in cases ofhepatitis A in the county of San Diego. According to the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) 5 confirmed cases and one death were recorded between January 10, 2023 and February 6, 2023. Three of the cases, including the deceased, were homeless. According to HHSA, there are no known direct contacts between the 5 case. None of those infected had been vaccinated once morest hepatitis A. Vaccinations were administered on February 13, 2023 at a homeless shelter.
Reminders on hepatitis A:
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is part of the family of Picornaviridae and belongs to the genus Hepatovirus.
HAV is mainly transmitted by the faecal-oral route, when an uninfected person ingests water or food contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. Waterborne outbreaks, although rare, usually originate in drinking water contaminated with sewage or insufficiently treated.
Hepatitis A occurs sporadically around the world in the form of epidemics, often in a cyclical fashion. The number of outbreaks of food poisoning linked to fresh produce seems to be increasing, this development might be explained by a trend towards increased consumption of food not prepared at home and an increase in the popularity of salad bars ( sideboards).
The incubation period for hepatitis A is usually 14 to 28 days. The symptoms of hepatitis A can be mild or severe: fever, poor general condition, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine and jaundice (yellow color of skin and whites of the eyes).
Unlike hepatitis B and hepatitis C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease and is rarely fatal, but it can cause debilitating symptoms and fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure), which is associated to high mortality.
For travelers it is recommended to ensure a sufficient supply of drinking water, to drink only mineral water in capsulated bottles (or, failing that, treated by chlorination or boiling), to avoid salads and raw vegetables, ice creams and ice cubes.
There are several hepatitis A vaccines around the world. Vaccination is particularly recommended before traveling to a risk area.
Source : ProMED.
