[Hepatitis A in Poland in 2008]

In Poland in 2008 were reported 208 cases of hepatitis A. The incidence rate in 2008 were 0.55 per 100 000 population and were six times higher then in 2007. Comparing the incidence across the regions in 2008, the highest and the lowest were observed in lubelskie voivodeship and łódzkie voivodeship respectively (3.51; 0.08). The highest incidence in men was observed among 25-29 years and 5-9 years (1.73 and 1.48 respectively). The most affected age groups among women were children 0-4 years and 5-9 years (1.22 and 2.23 respectively). In 2008 29.8% cases were imported from intermediate and high-endemic countries. No hepatitis A deaths were registered. The introduce of molecular characterization as part of diagnostic hepatitis A is necessary to asses potential sources of infection and provider information about strains of HAV circulating in Poland.