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Media Release - 09/01/2006
'Hepatitis A' Cases in Christchurch
Seven cases of ‘Hepatitis A’ have been notified to the
Medical Officer of Health since Christmas. Although there are associations
between some of these cases there is as yet, no indication of a common source of
the disease. None of these cases have travelled overseas.
Investigations are continuing to try and establish if there is any common food
source. Close contacts of these cases are being followed up and may be offered
preventive injections of gamma globulin if the exposure has been recent.
Three earlier cases notified in December belonged to a family who are believed
to have acquired the disease during a trip to the Pacific. Since 2001, there
have only been a total of 2 or 3 cases notified each year.
Hepatitis A, is a viral disease that affects the liver. It is spread either by
contamination of food or directly from person to person because of poor hygiene,
particularly failure of hand washing. Early symptoms include generally feeling
unwell, abdominal discomfort, nausea and fever. Jaundice develops in the later
stages of the disease.
General practitioners (GP) have been advised of the outbreak and requested to
consider the diagnosis in patients with suggestive symptoms. Persons who are
showing possible signs of the disease are advised to consult their own GP.
“The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) views this outbreak as a serious
public health issue and can not stress enough the importance of hand washing
after going to the toilet and before handling food”, said Dr Mel Brieseman,
Medical Officer of Health from Community & Public Health, a division of the
CDHB.
“Workers and employers in the food industry are also reminded not to work with
food, when they are suffering from any form of stomach upset”, he said.
A preventive vaccination is also available for persons who are likely to be at
high risk such as those travelling to high risk countries but a cost is
involved.
Ends.
Further information contact:
Dr M A Brieseman
Medical Officer
Community & Public Health
Ph 3799480 Extn 803
Ministry of Health - Fact Sheet Information
Hepatitis A is spread through contact with the faeces (poo,
tutae) of an infected person.
It can be passed on through:
close personal contact – including sexual
poor personal hygiene
sharing personal things with an infected person (toothbrushes, facecloths, towels, etc)
contaminated water or milk
contaminated food – including shellfish, from infected sewage
The most infectious period for hepatitis A is usually from
two weeks before jaundice shows
until one week after. A blood test will show if someone has hepatitis A
infection.
Thorough hand-washing with soap and water stops the infection from being passed
on to other people. General household hygiene, advised at all times, includes:
washing hands before and after preparing food
washing hands before eating
washing hands after going to the toilet or changing baby’s nappy
Bed-linen, underpants, towels and handkerchiefs used during
the illness should be washed in hot water and detergent.
Hepatitis A help
Close contacts of the person with the hepatitis A virus may be offered an injection of antibodies (gammaglobulin) for temporary protection
Immunisation may be offered to contacts and is available for long-term protection against hepatitis A
Immunisation or gammaglobulin is recommended for travellers to some countries
Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A is an illness that your doctor notifies to the Medical Officer of
Health in your local public health service. The public health service arranges
for follow-up, offers protection to contacts, and checks for a common food
source.
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