![]() Few outbreaks of hepatitis A occur in Victoria: only 8 hepatitis A outbreaks have been reported since 2002, most of these occurring among children in child care centres or primary schools. Approximately 60 cases of hepatitis A are notified each year in Victoria, most of which are acquired overseas. 3 Public health action is centred around the identification of a source, control of the environment and to minimise the risk of secondary cases through the provision of immunoglobulin and/or vaccine. In Victoria, medical practitioners and laboratories are required to notify the Department of Human Services of cases of hepatitis A under Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 2001. 2 The source of most reported foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks has been HAV-infected food handlers present at the point of sale or who have prepared food for social events. HAV contamination of a food product can occur at any point during cultivation, harvesting, processing, distribution, or preparation. A person with hepatitis A is infectious during the 2 weeks prior to and 1 week after the onset of symptoms. Symptoms may include jaundice and/or dark urine, fever, headache or vomiting. After ingesting the virus, it can take between 15 and 50 days to become symptomatic. Transmission occurs by the faecal-oral route, through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, 1 or through direct hand-to-mouth contact with the faeces of an infectious case. Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), of which humans, chimpanzees and other primates are the only reservoir. In 2008, Victoria experienced an outbreak of hepatitis A due to an infected food handler. Hepatitis A outbreaks are uncommon in Australia. Transmission occurs by the faecal-oral route, either by direct contact with an HAV-infected person or by ingestion of HAV-contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Stacey L Rowe, Kirsten Tanner, Joy E Gregory Abstract Introduction | Methods | Results | Discussion | References Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HealthĪ print friendly PDF version is available from this Communicable Diseases Intelligence issue's table of contents.
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