[Epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis A in Vojvodina from 1988 to 2009]

Hepatitis A represents a significant epidemiological problem in many regions of the world. This research was aimed at analyzing trends and distribution of hepatitis A in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina in Serbia.

The authors used data on individual cases and outbreak reports in the period from 1988 to 2009 obtained from the Registry of Communicable Diseases kept at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina.

The total of 10.471 cases was recorded with average incidence of 23.4/100.000 and with a decreasing trend. This disease occurs as an endemoepidemic with a cyclic increase in the incidence in time intervals of 3, 4 and 6 years. The disease has seasonal character and is most frequently observed in autumn and winter with the highest percentage of cases in October-November after the beginning of school year and forming of school collectives. The age-specific incidence is highest in school age children due to agglomeration of susceptible population. During the observed period, the total of 160 outbreaks was recorded with over 5,000 reported cases. The highest number of outbreaks was recorded in school collectives and then in peri-urban settlements with poor hygiene. Two outbreaks occurred at institutions for people with special needs. Outbreaks were progressive in course and contact was the dominant mode of transmission.

Although hepatitis A incidence trend is decreasing, this disease still has endemoepidemic character of occurrence. Such an epidemiological situation is most probably caused by slow and limited impact of hygienic measures. A significant contribution to further incidence reduction could be achieved by active immunization.