Outbreaks of Viral Hepatitis E in the Czech Republic?

Česká verzia

Authors: Trmal Josef ¹; Pavlík Ivo ²; Vašíčková Petra ²; Matějíčková Ladislava ¹; Šimůnková Lenka ¹; Lukš Stanislav ³; Pazderková Jana ⁴
Authors place of work: KHS Ústeckého kraje, Ústí nad Labem ¹; Výzkumný ústav veterinárního lékařství, v. v. i. Brno ²; Krajská veterinární správa pro Ústecký kraj, Ústí nad Labem ³; Masarykova nemocnice Ústí nad Labem ⁴
Published in the journal: Epidemiol. Mikrobiol. Imunol. 61, 2012, č. 1-2, s. 15-20

Summary

Until recently, viral hepatitis E (VHE) has typically been an imported infection, related to travel to developing countries. A number of travel-unrelated VHE cases currently diagnosed in the Czech Republic. Outcomes of the epidemiological investigations of two VHE outbreaks associated with the consumption of pork and pork products at pig-slaughtering feasts are presented. Thirteen cases have been reported in the first outbreak and eight cases in the second outbreak. The epidemiological investigations are described and the experience gained in analysing suspected biological specimens is presented. The source of infection has not been identified in the first outbreak while in the other one, a link between human cases and infection in farm pigs was revealed for the first time. Although the epidemiological investigation may not always lead to the detection of the VHE source, it must be conducted in any outbreak and can only be successful when done in cooperation of the public health authorities with the veterinary health agency.

Key words:
viral hepatitis E – epidemiological investigation – source verification.

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