Investigation of community based hepatitis a outbreak in a district in Northern Kerala

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis A is the most common form of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. The disease is closely associated with unsafe water or food, inadequate sanitation and poor personal hygiene. Objectives: An epidemiological investigation was carried out to investigate the outbreak, describe epidemiological features and recommend measures for control. An epidemiological case sheet was prepared, case definition formulated. Result: 82 cases of hepatitis A was confirmed. According to investigation, twenty students and one religious teacher staying at nearby mosque were infected and majority was belonging to the age group 15 -25 years. There was clustering of cases in two wards of this panchayath mostly which was around the mosque. Attack rate was found to be more in the age group 15–25 years(13.31%). Males (3.37%) had an attack rate almost 3.5 times higher than that of females (0.96%). One death was reported. The case fatality rate was 1.21. Conclusion: The provision for safe drinking water and proper sanitation needs to be considered high priority by Panchayath. There should be attempts for health awareness of handwashing, proper chlorination and adequate distance between septic tank and water source at households.