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An outbreak of hepatitis A associated with a bakery, New York, 1994: the 1968 "West Branch, Michigan' outbreak

A C Weltman1, N M Bennett, D A Ackman

  • 1Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Epidemiology and Infection
|October 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

A hepatitis A outbreak in Rochester was linked to a retail buyer's club. Contaminated baked goods from an infected baker caused the widespread hepatitis A (HAV) infection.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health
  • Foodborne Illness

Background:

  • Community hepatitis A outbreaks pose significant public health challenges.
  • Identifying the source of foodborne illness is crucial for controlling outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the source and transmission routes of a hepatitis A outbreak in the Rochester, New York area.
  • To assess the role of a retail buyer's club in the hepatitis A outbreak.

Main Methods:

  • Case-control study comparing individuals with hepatitis A IgM-antibodies to matched controls.
  • Analysis of food purchase data and implicated food items.
  • Epidemiological investigation including interviews and risk factor analysis.

Main Results:

  • 81% of cases reported eating food from a retail buyer's club.
  • Club members had a significantly higher risk (matched odds ratio 8.5) of hepatitis A.
  • Contaminated sugar-glazed baked goods prepared by an IgM-positive baker were identified as the source.
  • Computer-generated purchase data identified likely contamination dates.

Conclusions:

  • Food workers' adherence to hygiene practices is critical in preventing foodborne hepatitis A.
  • Retail buyer's clubs can be potential sources of widespread foodborne outbreaks.
  • Commercial datasets are valuable tools for epidemiological investigations.

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