Outbreak of hepatitis A in Korean military personnel

Jpn J Infect Dis. 2008 May;61(3):239-41.

Abstract

This report describes a hepatitis A outbreak among Korean military personnel. Each case of hepatitis A in this outbreak was defined as a person who had symptoms compatible with acute viral hepatitis A and had positive HAV IgM between May 2 and August 14, 2007 in Inje district, Gangwon, Korea. We tested 70 cases with symptoms for HAV IgM, and 67 cases showed positive results. They included 4 sergeants, 1 officer and 62 privates. A positive result for HAV IgG among asymptomatic military personnel was seen in 11.8% of cases. This epidemic occurred after a heavy rainfall in the military compound area where drinking water was supplied by the stream water. After the outbreak, the supply of drinking water was switched to a public water system. All of 178 military personnel who had no HAV IgG were vaccinated on July 26, 2007. The outbreak was resolved after the control measures were implemented.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Fresh Water / virology
  • Hepatitis A / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis A / physiopathology
  • Hepatitis A / virology
  • Hepatitis A Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis A virus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Korea / epidemiology
  • Military Personnel*
  • Water Pollution
  • Water Supply

Substances

  • Hepatitis A Antibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M