[Family outbreak of hepatitis B]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes one of the most widespread infections worldwide. We report a family outbreak where a male with Down's syndrome attending an open institution for mentally retarded individuals probably was the source of the infection. We consider the prevention as the only means to attack the infection with intervention on the transmission mechanisms and immuniprophylaxis. We emphasize eh need of a perfect communication between the several institutions involved in epidemiological surveillance. This might have prevented the present outbreak. Finally, we insist on the importance that the primary care physician could have in the prescription and indication of immunoprophylaxis. To this end, the disappearance of the administrative barriers established by the Secretaría General de Asistencia Sanitaria from the Health Ministry would be needed.