Significance of imported hepatitis B virus infections

The risk of imported hepatitis B in Germany and comparable European countries seems to be low as long a suitable control measures are taken. These measures include testing for hepatitis B markers of immigrants from highly endemic areas as well as of individuals who stayed for a longer period of time in such regions, information of chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus and vaccination of their contacts, and vaccination of travellers to endemic regions who run an increased risk for contracting hepatitis B as e.g. i.v drug users or sex tourists.