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Summary
Hepatitis incidence remained low among clinical laboratory staff in Britain during 1977-78. The study recorded an attack rate of 29 cases per 100,000 person-years, primarily due to hepatitis B.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Clinical laboratory staff face potential exposure to infectious agents.
- Monitoring hepatitis incidence is crucial for workplace safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the incidence of hepatitis in British clinical laboratory staff for the 1977-78 period.
- To assess trends in hepatitis infection rates within this occupational group.
Main Methods:
- Surveillance data from clinical laboratories in Britain were analyzed.
- Hepatitis cases were recorded and attack rates calculated per 100,000 person-years.
Main Results:
- The low incidence of hepatitis observed in previous years was sustained.
- An attack rate of 29 per 100,000 person-years was calculated.
- Hepatitis B accounted for the majority of the eight reported cases.
Conclusions:
- Clinical laboratory environments in Britain appear to have a low risk of hepatitis transmission to staff.
- Continued surveillance is warranted to monitor hepatitis B and other viral infections in laboratory personnel.