title: [Epidemic outbreak of hepatitis B from the tattoo in gypsy families].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To document an outbreak of Hepatitis B in a gypsy community in the Upper Aragón region, as well as the control measures adopted.
  
  
  METHODS
  Documented study of Hepatitis B cases and families, including an epidemiological survey and the determining of hepatitis B viral indicators (MVHB) using immunoenzymatic methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  84.8% participation (39/45). During the months of February and March 1988, 5 cases of Hepatitis B were detected in a gypsy community in the Upper Aragon region (12.8% attack rate, 5/39), with an average age of 13.0 + 7.3, (4 women and one man). Four of the cases detected had previously undergone tatooing. The fifth case was due to direct transmission from mother to a recently born child. The MVHB study of families showed a further two cases. MVHB rate being 17.9% (7/39). Vaccinations were given to all persons susceptible to the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that tatooing could be a significant factor to be considered in relation to the transmission of Hepatitis B in gypsy communities. Due to the high rate of incidence of the disease in this ethnic group, general vaccination is prescribed.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Promoción de la Salud, Centro de Salud Comunitaria de Benicarló Castellón.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosario Pac
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arnedo
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Montaner
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Izuel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Echevarría
mesh_terms: D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006178:Romani People; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines