Abstruse

Hepatitis A is caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV). Transmission occurs by the fecal-oral route, either by direct contact with an HAV-infected person or past ingestion of HAV-contaminated food or h2o. Foodborne or waterborne hepatitis A outbreaks are relatively uncommon in the United states of america. However, food handlers with hepatitis A are ofttimes identified, and evaluation of the need for immunoprophylaxis and implementation of command measures are a considerable brunt on public health resources. In addition, HAV-contaminated nutrient may be the source of hepatitis A for an unknown proportion of persons whose source of infection is not identified.

Features of Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is classified every bit a picornavirus. Primates are the only natural host [1]. At that place is merely 1 HAV serotype, and immunity after infection is lifelong [two]. Subsequently ingestion, uptake in the gastrointestinal tract, and subsequent replication in the liver, HAV is excreted in bile, and high concentrations are found in stool specimens. Transmission occurs by the fecal-oral route, either by straight contact with an HAV-infected person or by ingestion of HAV-contaminated food or water. The median incubation period (i.e., time from exposure to onset of symptoms) is 28 days (range, 15–50 days) [3]. Peak infectivity occurs during the 2-week period that precedes the onset of jaundice and declines during the week after onset. In persons without jaundice, tiptop infectivity likely occurs every bit serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] concentrations increment. Viremia tin be detected before the ALT concentration increases, and HAV RNA levels often remain detectable even later the ALT level has normalized and symptoms accept resolved [4].

Asymptomatic or anicteric HAV infection without the clinical signs and symptoms of hepatitis A is common in children, and <10% of children aged <half-dozen years with HAV infection accept jaundice [5]. Clinical manifestations of symptomatic HAV infection vary from balmy, anicteric disease to fulminant hepatitis. Among young adults with HAV infection, 76%–97% have symptoms, and forty%–70% are jaundiced [6]. Children and occasionally young adults can also have inapparent infection, in which symptoms and elevation of ALT levels are absent but seroconversion occurs [7].

Hepatitis A begins with symptoms such equally fever, anorexia, nausea, airsickness, diarrhea, myalgia, and malaise. Jaundice, nighttime-colored urine, or light-colored stools might be present at onset or might follow constitutional symptoms inside a few days. Physical findings tin can include abdominal tenderness, hepatomegaly, or splenomegaly [viii]. For most persons, hepatitis A lasts for several weeks. Relapsing symptoms, accompanied by renewed elevation of serum aminotransferase levels, occur in 10% of cases, and relapses might continue for equally long as vi months [9]. The overall case-fatality charge per unit is 0.3%, merely it is one.8% among persons aged ⩾50 years. Persons with underlying chronic liver disease accept an increased chance of death [10].

Serologic testing is necessary to distinguish hepatitis A from other forms of viral hepatitis. The serologic marker of astute HAV infection, IgM antibody to HAV (IgM anti-HAV), is detectable 5–10 days earlier the onset of symptoms and ordinarily decreases to undetectable concentrations within 6 months after recovery [x]. However, 13.5% of patients with astute hepatitis A had detectable IgM levels >200 days subsequently illness in one study [eleven]. The sensitivity and specificity of commercially available IgM anti-HAV tests is >95%, and these tests reliably distinguish hepatitis A from other forms of hepatitis [10]. However, interpretation of a positive IgM anti-HAV test result is problematic for persons with no symptoms or laboratory show of acute hepatitis and no epidemiologic link to other cases. Total anti-HAV (IgG plus IgM) is detectable during illness, remains detectable indefinitely, and is a reliable indicator of immunity to HAV infection. Total anti-HAV can be used to decide susceptibility before giving immunoprophylaxis simply is not otherwise useful to clinicians.

No specific treatment for hepatitis A has been shown to exist effective. Medications that are metabolized by the liver, including not–prescription medications (such as acetaminophen), should be used with caution or avoided during acute viral hepatitis. Hepatitis A rarely causes fulminant hepatitis, but hospitalization and evaluation for liver transplantation is necessary for patients with signs of liver failure, such as hepatic encephalopathy or coagulopathy.

Epidemiology

HAV is primarily transmitted by the fecal-oral route, either by person-to-person contact or by ingestion of contaminated food or h2o. Transmission also occurs after exposure to HAV-contaminated blood or blood products, just not by exposure to saliva or urine. Asymptomatic and nonjaundiced HAV-infected persons, especially children, are an of import source of HAV manual [12].

The incidence of hepatitis A in the United States varies in a cyclical design, with large increases approximately every 10 years, followed past decreases to less than the previous baseline incidence (effigy 1). Incidence rates in the western and southwestern United states accept been consistently college than in other regions of the United States. From 1980 through 2001, an average of 25,000 cases each year were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but when corrected for underreporting and asymptomatic infections, an estimated average of 263,000 HAV infections occurred per year [13]. On the footing of surveillance data, children aged 5–14 years historically accept the highest incidence of hepatitis A [14], although the incidence of HAV infection is probably highest among those <5 years old [fifteen]. Approximately i-3rd of the United States population has been previously infected with HAV, with higher seroprevalence with increasing age and among persons with lower household incomes or of Hispanic ethnicity [ten]. Since 1999, the hepatitis A incidence has decreased to historic lows in the United states of america [16] (CDC, unpublished information).

Figure 1

Incidence of hepatitis A, United States, 1952–2002. Data are from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [16] (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unpublished data). Data for 2002 are provisional.

Incidence of hepatitis A, Us, 1952–2002. Data are from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [xvi] (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unpublished information). Information for 2002 are provisional.

Effigy i

Incidence of hepatitis A, United States, 1952–2002. Data are from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [16] (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unpublished data). Data for 2002 are provisional.

Incidence of hepatitis A, United States, 1952–2002. Data are from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System of the Centers for Affliction Control and Prevention [sixteen] (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unpublished data). Data for 2002 are provisional.

Hazard factors for infection among reported cases are shown in effigy 2 [fourteen]. Personal contact (ordinarily amongst household contacts or sexual partners) is the near important reported risk gene. Relatively few reported cases (2%–3% per yr) are identified through routine surveillance every bit part of common source outbreaks of illness transmitted by food or water. However, some hepatitis A transmission attributed to personal contact or other take chances factors is likely to have been foodborne, occurring when an HAV-infected person contaminated food eaten by others. The proportion of desultory cases that might be from foodborne sources is unknown but could be considerable; ∼l% of reported patients with hepatitis A exercise not have an identified source of infection [10, 14].

Figure 2

Reported risk factors among persons with hepatitis A, United States, 1990–2000. Data are from the Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [14]. IDU, injection drug use; MSM, men who have sex with men.

Reported risk factors among persons with hepatitis A, United States, 1990–2000. Data are from the Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [14]. IDU, injection drug use; MSM, men who have sex with men.

Figure 2

Reported risk factors among persons with hepatitis A, United States, 1990–2000. Data are from the Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [14]. IDU, injection drug use; MSM, men who have sex with men.

Reported risk factors among persons with hepatitis A, United States, 1990–2000. Information are from the Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Program, Centers for Disease Command and Prevention [xiv]. IDU, injection drug use; MSM, men who have sexual activity with men.

In developing countries, HAV manual oftentimes is unrecognized, because most residents learn HAV infection during early on childhood. Information technology is interesting to note that, as hygiene improves, the mean age of infected persons increases and the clinical manifestations of hepatitis A are more oftentimes recognized, leading to an increase in the hepatitis A incidence (i.e., symptomatic HAV infection), even as the incidence of HAV infection (which is commonly asymptomatic or does not cause jaundice in young children) may be decreasing [17]. Foodborne outbreaks of infection are uncommon in developing countries because of loftier levels of immunity in the resident population, but foodborne manual to nonimmune travelers might be an important source of travel-associated hepatitis A.

Characteristics of Foodborne Transmission

HAV contamination of a food product tin occur at whatever point during cultivation, harvesting, processing, distribution, or preparation. Recognizing foodborne transmission using routine surveillance data may be difficult because (1) example patients may have difficulty recalling food histories during the 2–half-dozen weeks before illness, (2) cases may accumulate gradually or non be reported, (iii) a food detail may be focally contaminated, (4) some exposed persons accept unrecognized HAV infection, (five) some exposed persons have preexisting amnesty (from a previous infection or previous vaccination), (6) persons who acquire infection through contaminated food are not recognized amid an ongoing loftier incidence in the customs, and (vii) cases are geographically scattered over several public wellness jurisdictions.

Manual due to contamination of food at the point of sale or service. The source of near reported foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks has been HAV-infected food handlers present at the point of sale (such equally in a eating place) or who set nutrient for social events (such as a wedding). A single HAV-infected nutrient handler can transmit HAV to dozens or even hundreds of persons and cause a substantial economic burden to public health [18, 19]. The societal cost of a single foodborne outbreak of hepatitis A in Denver involving 43 cases was estimated to be more than than $800,000, with >xc% of these costs borne past the public health department and attributed to immunoglobulin administration [eighteen]. Table i lists selected food handler-associated outbreaks. Common themes of these outbreaks include (1) the presence of an HAV-infected food handler who worked while potentially infectious (2 weeks before to ane week after symptom onset) and had contact with uncooked food or food subsequently it had been cooked, (2) secondary cases among other nutrient handlers who ate food contaminated past the index case, and (3) relatively low attack rates among exposed patrons.

Table 1

Characteristics of selected published foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks in the United States associated with an infected food handler.

Characteristics of selected published foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks in the United states associated with an infected nutrient handler.

Table 1

Characteristics of selected published foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks in the United States associated with an infected food handler.

Characteristics of selected published foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks in the U.s. associated with an infected food handler.

Nutrient handlers are not at higher risk of hepatitis A because of their occupation. However, food handlers may belong to demographic groups, such as young persons and persons with lower socioeconomic status, who have a college incidence of hepatitis A than does the rest of the population [10]. Median hourly wages for food service workers are lower than the overall median hourly wage [33], and nearly 2 of 3 food counter attendants are aged 16–nineteen years [34]. Among 38,881 adults with hepatitis A reported to the CDC during the period of 1992–2000 who had occupational data reported, 8% were identified as food handlers, including xiii% of the 3292 persons aged sixteen–19 years (CDC, unpublished information). The number of patients who were nutrient handlers reflects the number of persons employed in the industry; at that place were six.five million food and beverage serving jobs in 2000 [33], and the manufacture is the largest private employer in the United States [35].

Most food handlers with hepatitis A do non transmit HAV to consumers or eatery patrons, as determined on the footing of surveillance information, but many hundreds of restaurant workers have hepatitis A every year. Evaluating HAV-infected food handlers is a mutual task for many public health departments, and assessing the need for postexposure immunoprophylaxis and implementing control measures consumes considerable time and resource at the state and local health department level. In a retrospective analysis of HAV-infected nutrient handler investigations conducted during 1992–2000 in Seattle/King Canton, Washington, and the land of Massachusetts, 230 HAV-infected food handlers were identified. Of these, 140 (59%) had worked during a time when they were potentially infectious, but simply 12 (7%) were evaluated as representing an infection run a risk to those who ate nutrient they had prepared; an average of 377 doses of immunoglobulin were dispensed by public health personnel in each episode. Coworkers of the infected food handlers were given immunoglobulin in 121 investigations (51%; CDC, unpublished data).

Transmission due to contamination of food during growing, harvesting, processing, or distribution. Hepatitis A outbreaks have been also associated with consumption of fresh produce contaminated with HAV during cultivation, harvesting, processing, or distribution (table ii). Outbreaks involving a food particular that was contaminated before distribution are particularly challenging to identify and might be widely distributed geographically. For example, HAV-contaminated frozen strawberries were implicated as the source of an outbreak involving at least 262 persons in 5 states [39]. Low attack rates are mutual, probably because contamination is merely establish in a small portion of the distributed nutrient. Boosted cases might be prevented by rapid epidemiologic identification of the contaminated item, traceback, and product think.

Table two

Characteristics of selected published foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks associated with produce contaminated during growing, harvesting, or processing.

Characteristics of selected published foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks associated with produce contaminated during growing, harvesting, or processing.

Tabular array 2

Characteristics of selected published foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks associated with produce contaminated during growing, harvesting, or processing.

Characteristics of selected published foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks associated with produce contaminated during growing, harvesting, or processing.

Experimental contamination studies propose that the physical characteristics of some produce items might facilitate transmission. Lettuce, carrots, and fennel were immersed in HAV-contaminated water for xx min followed past refrigerated storage; infectious HAV was recovered from lettuce for 9 days after immersion, just it was recovered from carrots and fennel for only iv–7 days. Washing reduced but did not eliminate detectable HAV [43]. No investigation to date has determined the point in cultivation, harvesting, or processing at which contamination occurs. Produce might be contaminated by the hands of HAV-infected workers or children in the field, past contact with HAV-contaminated h2o during irrigation or rinsing after picking, or during the processing steps leading to packaging. Removal of stems by workers in the field during picking might be a potential machinery for strawberry contamination [38]. Greenish onions crave extensive handling during harvesting and training for packing and receive no further processing until they reach the restaurant or the consumer's home, where they are frequently served raw or partially cooked. Recent large outbreaks associated with imported green onions that were contaminated before arrival in restaurants signal a need for a better understanding of how contamination of fresh produce occurs and why certain produce items (e.m., strawberries and light-green onions) seem peculiarly prone to contamination [42].

HAV-contaminated shellfish have been the source of foodborne outbreaks of hepatitis A, including several outbreaks involving many thousands of cases (table 3). Although reports of shellfish-related hepatitis A outbreaks continue to occur in some other countries, none have been reported recently in the United States. Factors contributing to contagion in shellfish-related outbreaks may include inappropriate or illegal shellfish harvesting nearly known sources of sewage, inappropriate discharge of sewage from fishing boats or oil platforms near shellfish beds, and use of fecally contaminated h2o to immerse harvested live shellfish. Identification of HAV in shellfish taken from approved areas in the United States has also been reported.

Tabular array 3

Characteristics of selected foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks associated with shellfish.

Characteristics of selected foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks associated with shellfish.

Table 3

Characteristics of selected foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks associated with shellfish.

Characteristics of selected foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks associated with shellfish.

Manual due to exposure to contaminated water. Waterborne outbreaks of hepatitis A are unusual in developed countries. Water treatment processes and dilution inside municipal water systems are apparently sufficient to render HAV noninfectious, although no studies have demonstrated which specific handling processes are the most constructive. Outbreaks of hepatitis A among persons who use small private or community wells or pond pools have been reported, and contamination past next septic systems has been implicated equally the source of contagion [49–53]. Although the potential for hepatitis A outbreaks after flooding-related sewage contamination of drinkable water sources is recognized, no such incidents have been reported in the United States in several decades.

Determining the Brunt of Foodborne Hepatitis a in the United states

Approximately 50% of persons with hepatitis A in the The states exercise not take an identified risk factor. Molecular epidemiologic techniques concord promise for identifying unsuspected links between patients with foodborne hepatitis A. RNA sequences from serum specimens obtained from HAV-infected persons can exist amplified even after clinical recovery [4]. By comparing viral sequences, previously unrecognized links between cases can be inferred. In a 1997 outbreak among Michigan and Maine schoolchildren that was linked to strawberries, others with hepatitis A who had eaten strawberries from the same processor were identified in Wisconsin, Arizona, and Louisiana; viral sequences from all of these cases were identical to each other and were different from viral sequences obtained from non–outbreak-related cases [39]. Determining whether hepatitis A acquired from contaminated nutrient or water is an of import contributor to the burden of hepatitis A in the Usa will require more widespread application of molecular epidemiologic techniques, besides as obtaining more than-detailed exposure histories during case investigations.

Prevention of Hepatitis A

Preexposure prophylaxis. Hepatitis A is the merely common vaccine-preventable foodborne disease in the U.s.. Hepatitis A vaccine is an inactivated preparation of a cell-culture adapted virus and was licensed in 1995 for persons aged ⩾2 years. More than 95% of adults and children take seroconversion afterwards a single dose of hepatitis A vaccine, and long-term protection is provided by a second (booster) dose given ⩾6 months later. Protective concentrations of anti-HAV are measurable in 54%–62% of persons past 2 weeks and in ⩾90% by iv weeks afterwards receipt of a single dose of vaccine. The vaccine's efficacy is 94%–100%, and protection is likely to last for ⩾20 years after vaccination; booster doses after the primary ii-dose series are not currently recommended [10]. Recent vaccination may confuse estimation of diagnostic examination results for hepatitis A, because IgM anti-HAV tin be detected in some persons shortly subsequently vaccination [55]. However, when tested 1 month later on vaccination, <one% of vaccinated persons had detectable IgM anti-HAV [56].

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for people at higher risk for hepatitis A, including men who have sexual practice with men and illicit drug users (regardless of whether they inject the drugs or non). Because recent travel to countries where HAV infection is endemic is a usually identified risk cistron among patients in the United States, persons planning travel to developing countries for whatever reason, frequency, or elapsing who can receive the first dose of vaccine at least 2–four weeks before departure should also exist vaccinated [10, 57]. Persons with chronic liver disease are at gamble for more severe hepatitis A and should receive vaccination also. Routine babyhood vaccination is recommended in states and communities with a consistently high incidence of hepatitis A [x].

Routine vaccination of all food handlers is not recommended, considering their profession does not put them at higher risk for infection. Even so, local regulations mandating proof of vaccination for food handlers or offering revenue enhancement credits for food service operators who provide hepatitis A vaccine to employees have been implemented in some areas. 1 economical analysis concluded that routine vaccination of all food handlers would not exist economic from a societal or restaurant owner'due south perspective. Costs in the economic model were driven by the turnover rate of employees and the small percentage of hepatitis A cases that are attributable to infected nutrient service workers [58]. Another analysis concluded that vaccination of 100,000 nutrient handlers in the 10 states with the highest incidence of hepatitis A would cost $thirteen,969 per year-of-life saved [59].

Employers concerned well-nigh reducing the hazard of hepatitis A amidst employees should focus on providing hepatitis A vaccination for those persons who have risk factors for infection, including men who accept sex with men, illicit drug users, and persons who plan to travel to developing countries [ten, 57]. Food handlers aged <19 years who live in a state or community where routine babyhood vaccination is recommended have both an indication for vaccine [10] and a potential source for reimbursement for vaccination and for some administrative costs (i.e., the Vaccine for Children Fund).

Immunoglobulin provides brusque-term (1–2-month) protection from hepatitis A. Immunoglobulin is a sterile preparation of concentrated antibodies (immunoglobulins) made from pooled human plasma processed in a way that inactivates viruses. The intramuscular preparation (0.02 mL/kg) is oft used in persons planning to travel within 2–4 weeks and who require immediate protection or for those with contraindications for vaccination [ten, 57]. Immunoglobulin is also recommended for travelers aged <2 years, for whom the vaccine is non licensed. Although children of this age usually have mild infection, they unremarkably serve as a source of infection for contacts, and they occasionally have severe illness themselves.

Postexposure prophylaxis. Postexposure prophylaxis with immunoglobulin is >85% effective in preventing hepatitis A if administered within 2 weeks later exposure to HAV, but the efficacy is highest when administered early in the incubation period [threescore]. There are several specific circumstances in which the use of postexposure prophylaxis is indicated, including use for nonimmune persons who take had (ane) household or sexual contact with an HAV-infected person during a fourth dimension when the HAV-infected person was likely to be infectious (i.east., two weeks before to 1 week after onset of illness), and (2) whose last contact was inside the previous 2 weeks. Postexposure prophylaxis consists of a unmarried intramuscular dose of immunoglobulin (0.02 mL/kg) [10]. Persons who received a dose of hepatitis A vaccine ⩾one month previously or who have a history of laboratory-confirmed HAV infection should be considered immune and exercise not crave immunoglobulin. Immunoglobulin is not necessary for persons whose only exposure to a person with hepatitis A occurred >1 week after the onset of jaundice. Nutrient service workers with hepatitis A tin betrayal other food service workers, and immunoglobulin should be given to all other food service workers in the aforementioned establishment who do not have proof of previous vaccination or HAV infection.

CDC guidelines recommend that postexposure prophylaxis also exist considered for persons who eat food prepared by an infected food handler if (one) the food handler had contact with food that was not cooked afterwards contact, (ii) the food handler had diarrhea or poor hygienic practices during the time when he or she was likely to be infectious, and (three) patrons can exist identified and treated within 2 weeks after their last exposure [10, 61]. An algorithm for determining whether immunoprophylaxis is needed has been published (effigy 3) [61]. Although this algorithm is a useful framework for assessing the take chances of transmission from an infected food handler, postexposure prophylaxis decisions are still largely based on retrospective hygiene assessments and other subjective information obtained during the example interview, as well as on the judgment and experience of public health officials. Interviews should include detailed, open up-ended questions about task duties, work dates, clinical symptoms, and hygiene during the menses of infectivity. Interviews with supervisors and coworkers and an inspection of restrooms and food grooming areas are besides recommended. Opportunities for postexposure prophylaxis are oftentimes missed, either considering the infected nutrient handler did not receive a diagnosis of HAV infection until after transmission to patrons had occurred, the food handler with hepatitis A was not reported to the local public health authorities, or reported food treatment practices incorrectly indicated that the risk of transmission to patrons was low. Postexposure prophylaxis should not be administered to exposed persons afterwards cases take begun to occur, because the two-week period during which immunoglobulin is effective will take passed, unless other infected nutrient handlers with later onsets have been identified.

Figure three

Algorithm for determining need for immunoprophylaxis after exposure to food prepared by a food handler with hepatitis A. Consider hepatitis A vaccine in addition to immunoglobulin (IG) for those with other risk factors for hepatitis A. Hygiene assessments are subjective; a visit to the food handling area and interviews with the infected food handler, coworkers, and supervisors are often helpful. Factors to consider include the food handler's self-assessment, assessments obtained from supervisors or coworkers, whether the food handler had bowel movements (especially diarrhea) while at work, presence of medical conditions that might make hygiene more difficult to maintain, glove use, availability of functioning hand washing facilities, hygiene training, and previous assessments of sanitation practices in the facility that employs the infected food handler. Adapted from [61]. anti-HAV, antibody to hepatitis A virus.

Algorithm for determining demand for immunoprophylaxis after exposure to food prepared by a nutrient handler with hepatitis A. Consider hepatitis A vaccine in addition to immunoglobulin (IG) for those with other adventure factors for hepatitis A. Hygiene assessments are subjective; a visit to the food handling area and interviews with the infected nutrient handler, coworkers, and supervisors are ofttimes helpful. Factors to consider include the food handler'due south self-assessment, assessments obtained from supervisors or coworkers, whether the food handler had bowel movements (especially diarrhea) while at work, presence of medical conditions that might brand hygiene more hard to maintain, glove employ, availability of performance manus washing facilities, hygiene training, and previous assessments of sanitation practices in the facility that employs the infected food handler. Adjusted from [61]. anti-HAV, antibiotic to hepatitis A virus.

Figure 3

Algorithm for determining need for immunoprophylaxis after exposure to food prepared by a food handler with hepatitis A. Consider hepatitis A vaccine in addition to immunoglobulin (IG) for those with other risk factors for hepatitis A. Hygiene assessments are subjective; a visit to the food handling area and interviews with the infected food handler, coworkers, and supervisors are often helpful. Factors to consider include the food handler's self-assessment, assessments obtained from supervisors or coworkers, whether the food handler had bowel movements (especially diarrhea) while at work, presence of medical conditions that might make hygiene more difficult to maintain, glove use, availability of functioning hand washing facilities, hygiene training, and previous assessments of sanitation practices in the facility that employs the infected food handler. Adapted from [61]. anti-HAV, antibody to hepatitis A virus.

Algorithm for determining demand for immunoprophylaxis afterward exposure to nutrient prepared by a food handler with hepatitis A. Consider hepatitis A vaccine in add-on to immunoglobulin (IG) for those with other risk factors for hepatitis A. Hygiene assessments are subjective; a visit to the food treatment area and interviews with the infected food handler, coworkers, and supervisors are frequently helpful. Factors to consider include the food handler's cocky-assessment, assessments obtained from supervisors or coworkers, whether the food handler had bowel movements (especially diarrhea) while at piece of work, presence of medical conditions that might make hygiene more difficult to maintain, glove use, availability of functioning paw washing facilities, hygiene preparation, and previous assessments of sanitation practices in the facility that employs the infected food handler. Adapted from [61]. anti-HAV, antibiotic to hepatitis A virus.

Hepatitis A vaccine has besides been used for postexposure prophylaxis [62]. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of postexposure prophylaxis using hepatitis A vaccine has not been straight compared with immunoglobulin in a controlled clinical trial, and immunoglobulin remains the recommended choice for postexposure prophylaxis in the United states of america [10]. Hepatitis A vaccine can be given at the same fourth dimension (but in a different anatomic site) as immunoglobulin, and exposed persons who accept an indication for vaccination should receive both [10].

Hygiene Practices

The minimum infectious dose required for HAV infection in humans is unknown. In primate studies, HAV can remain infectious after 1 month on environmental surfaces at ambient temperatures [63], and it is more resistant than poliovirus (some other picornavirus) to deposition over time while on ecology surfaces [64]. Heating foods to 85°C (>185°F) for i min or disinfection with a 1 : 100 dilution of household bleach in water or cleaning solutions containing quaternary ammonium and/or HCl (including concentrations found in many toilet cleaners) is constructive in inactivating HAV. HAV is resistant to disinfection by some organic solvents and by a pH as depression every bit three [65].

No specific food handler hygiene do has been shown to reduce the likelihood of transmission. Experimental deposition of fecally suspended HAV onto hands indicates that infectious HAV remains present for ⩾4 h after application [66]. In experimental settings, water rinsing alone reduces the amount of HAV that is transferred to lettuce past 10- to 100-fold [67].

Hygiene training for food handlers should include practical advice virtually the techniques of hand washing and education almost the need to seek medical attention for postexposure prophylaxis subsequently contact with a person with hepatitis A. Reducing blank manus contact with foods that are not subsequently cooked is likewise a reasonable preventative measure. Employers should provide access to hand washing stations and encourage ill food handlers to seek medical attention and to stay out of the workplace. Exclusion from duties that involve contact with nutrient for at least 1–2 weeks later the onset of jaundice or until symptoms resolve is reasonable. Asymptomatic food handlers who are IgM anti-HAV positive are sometimes identified during investigations and measurements of ALT levels, in combination with likely dates of exposure, might be used to judge whether the nutrient handler has had recent infection and is potentially yet capable of transmission. However, the validity of this approach is unknown.

Providing sanitary facilities for field workers and discouraging the presence of children in areas where food is harvested reduces the potential for contamination of food during harvesting or processing. Chlorinated water or water from a source not likely to be contaminated past sewage should exist used for rinsing produce or ice used for packing.

Disinfection of Potentially Contaminated Foods

Development of disinfection procedures for produce or shellfish has been hampered by the technical difficulties involved with detection of infectious HAV in food. Cell culture assays tin can bespeak the presence of infectious HAV, simply they are expensive and require several days to perform. Wild-type virus is non hands detectable, because it usually is not cytopathic. RT-PCR protocols tin can detect viral particles more rapidly but cannot readily distinguish infectious virus from noninfectious HAV RNA, and the multifariousness of PCR inhibitors present in foods requires the development of food-specific protocols. Specific methods to observe enteric viruses, such as HAV, are necessary, considering water and shellfish with depression coliform counts (commonly used every bit a mensurate of fecal contamination) have been shown to contain viable HAV [68], and outbreaks of hepatitis A associated with shellfish harvested from waters where fecal coliform counts were within accustomed limits have been reported [69]. Despite these challenges, methods are being developed to detect HAV on some types of produce [43, lxx], in shellfish [68, 71], and in h2o [54].

The effectiveness of various disinfection methods in reducing HAV contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables is an area of agile investigation. Preliminary results indicate that disinfection modalities that are potentially applicable to produce, including chlorinated water [72], hydrostatic pressure [73], and heat [74], are constructive in reducing or eliminating HAV infectivity; yet, adapting these techniques for use on commercially distributed produce will require further refinement.

Other than thorough cooking, no reliable disinfection method for shellfish exists. Shellfish are typically cooked until they open, which may occur at temperatures as low as 70°C [75]. Steaming or boiling shellfish nevertheless in the crush for <two min may not fully inactivate HAV [76]. Shellfish have HAV concentrations as much as 100-fold that of surrounding h2o [77], and HAV has been detected in clams, mussels, and oysters harvested from areas linked to hepatitis A outbreaks [43, 47]. Depuration (placing harvested live shellfish in clean water to promote purging of gastrointestinal contents) for upwardly to ane calendar week reduces but does not eliminate HAV that has been taken up by shellfish [77]. If HAV-contaminated water is used during depuration, it may even introduce HAV into previously uncontaminated shellfish.

Reducing HAV contagion of foods should be possible using approaches, such every bit Hazard Assay and Disquisitional Control Point (HACCP) systems, like to those recommended for reducing contamination by other foodborne pathogens [78]. The states Nutrient and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance on improving food safety can be found on the FDA Spider web site (http://world wide web.foodsafety.gov/~dms/fs-toc.html#specific) [79]. Defining specific critical points for hepatitis A contamination will crave a better agreement of how and when contamination occurs. The efficacy of various chemicals or washing processes in disinfecting fresh fruits, vegetables, and shellfish will take to exist considered in the context of the need to preserve the marketability and quality (e.g., consistency, taste, and odor) of products.

Determination

Reducing foodborne transmission of hepatitis A can be accomplished by improving nutrient production and food handler hygiene and providing preexposure prophylaxis to persons at take a chance for infection. Food handlers acquire HAV infection from others within their communities, and reducing foodborne manual of HAV will ultimately exist achieved through routine vaccination of persons at take chances for HAV infection within these communities.

Acknowledgments

I give thanks Beth Bell, for helpful suggestions and critical review; Lyn Finelli, for providing surveillance information; Ellen Gould, Pat Kludt, and Bela Matyas of the Massachusetts Department of Wellness and Chas DeBolt and Jeff Duchin of Public Health–Seattle & King Canton Health, for collecting and summarizing their information on recent foodborne investigations; and Kathy Boaz, for analyzing the foodborne investigations data.

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