Hepatitis A in Western Austria--the epidemiological situation before the introduction of active immunisation.
Infection
; 22(1): 53-5, 1994.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-8181844
ABSTRACT
Several European countries report a decreasing prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV). This trend is most pronounced in the youngest age groups. In 1979, however, 58% of young Austrians aged 20 to 30 years were shown to possess anti-HAV. Here we describe the current epidemiological situation in western Austria. Prevalence of anti-HAV has decreased to 7% in those 18 to 30 years old. This percentage rises to 20% (31 to 40 years of age) and 57% (41 to 50 years of age) and is highest in those older than 50 years (87%). Of 180 cases of clinical hepatitis A occurring from 1985 to 1992 45% were imported by travel to HAV-endemic areas. Seventy-one percent of the cases in children (59/83) occurred in foreign workers' families and were also predominantly acquired abroad. A change in prevention policy should be considered in this respect, as vaccination is available now.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
/
Hepatitis A
Type of study:
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Infection
Year:
1994
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Austria