Related Experiment Videos
[Hepatitis E and exposure to waste water]
S Jeggli1, D Steiner, H Joller
1Abteilung für Arbeits- und Umweltmedizin, Abteilung für Epidemiologie und Prävention übertragbarer Krankheiten und Abteilung für klinische Immunologie. Sjeggli@Yahoo.com
Praxis
|April 5, 2003
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can be found in wastewater. A study found similar HEV antibody prevalence in sewage workers and controls, suggesting occupational exposure risk is low.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Virology
- Occupational Health
Context:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is detected in wastewater.
- Wastewater represents a potential infection route.
- Occupational risk for sewage workers is not well-defined.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in sewage workers in the Canton of Zurich.
- To assess the occupational risk of HEV infection for sewage workers.
Summary:
- This study evaluated 288 sewage workers and 306 controls for anti-HEV antibodies.
- Overall seroprevalence was 3.7%, with similar rates in exposed and control groups.
- Travel to endemic areas, a known risk factor, was absent in two exposed workers.
Impact:
- Provides crucial data on HEV occupational exposure in wastewater environments.
- Suggests current occupational risk for sewage workers may be lower than anticipated.
- Informs public health strategies for managing HEV transmission routes.