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Published on: June 26, 2020
[Transmission patterns and hepatitis A outbreaks in Málaga: analysis from 2007 to 2024]
Blanca O'Donnell Cortés1,2, Mª Del Rocío Lorenzo Ortega1,2, Silvia Soler Méndez3
1Servicio de Medicina Preventiva. Hospital Virgen de la Victoria. Málaga. España.
Objective:
The sexual transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV) has been documented, particularly in men who have sex with men (MSM) engaging in high-risk behaviors. In recent years, HAV outbreaks have been increasingly reported among MSM. This study aimed to analyze the temporal trends of HAV cases in Málaga from 2007 to 2024 to identify changes in the disease's epidemiological pattern.
Methods:
This was a retrospective descriptive study of HAV cases reported in the Andalusian Epidemiological Surveillance System (SVEA) from January 2007 to November 24, 2024. Annual incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated. Age and sex distributions were analyzed annually and for outbreak periods (2008-2009; 2016-2017) and inter-outbreak periods (2010-2015; 2018-2022; 2023-2024). Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and the Poisson method was applied to calculate the 95% confidence intervals of the male-to-female ratio.
Results:
Two periods were identified with an IR exceeding seven cases per 100,000 inhabitants, primarily due to cases among men aged fifteen-fourty-four years old. In other years, the IR remained below four cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with no significant differences between sexes and with children under fifteen years being the most affected group. However, in 2023-2024, cases among men and older age groups began to increase.
Conclusions:
Men aged fifteen-fourty-four play a critical role in recent HAV outbreaks. Collecting detailed data on transmission mechanisms and risk behaviors is essential to enable early outbreak detection.
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