A Study of Hepatitis Outbreaks in Between 1986 and 1988

Abstract

Outbreaks of hepatitis in the urban districts and villages of Qingdao, China, were investigated over a two-year period to examine what affected the spread of hepatitis. A total of nine outbreaks were recognized, involving a total of 89 cases. Serological tests confirmed that all nine outbreaks were caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAY). Eighty-five percent of the patients were between three and 13 years of age; the others were adults. The introduction and spread of hepatitis A into a site was related to unsanitary housing conditions, poor hygiene habits, and source patients who had not been diagnosed and isolated promptly. The ratio of symptomatic to asymptomatic cases was 0.38:1. Control of hepatitis A outbreaks requires prompt and exact diagnosis of the source patients who need to be educated about washing their hands after they go to the toilet and before eating.