Cluster of hepatitis B transmitted by a physician

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Hepatology

Background:

• A significant outbreak of acute hepatitis B occurred in a Swiss village between 1973 and 1977.
• The observed incidence of hepatitis B was notably higher than in surrounding areas and the national average.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cause of the unusually high hepatitis B incidence in the village.
• To identify the source of infection and understand transmission dynamics.

Main Methods:

• An epidemiological survey was conducted in the affected village.
• Case ascertainment and contact tracing were employed to identify the source of infection.

Main Results:

• The investigation identified one of the village's two general practitioners as the source of the hepatitis B outbreak.
• The infected practitioner had chronic aggressive hepatitis B, with detectable hepatitis B surface antigen and e antigen.
• Following the practitioner's death, no new cases of hepatitis B were reported in the village for three years.

Conclusions:

• A single healthcare provider can be a significant source of hepatitis B transmission within a community.
• Effective identification and control of infectious sources are crucial for preventing widespread outbreaks.
• The cessation of new cases post-source removal highlights the importance of identifying and managing infectious individuals.