Outbreak of hepatitis A among homosexual men in Sydney.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined an outbreak of hepatitis A in eastern Sydney during 1991-1992.


METHODS
Data were based on cases of hepatitis A in eastern Sydney residents reported from January 1991 to October 1992.


RESULTS
Five hundred seventy cases of hepatitis A were reported. Of these, 515 (90%) occurred in male patients, of whom 330 were reported to be homosexual or bisexual. The highest attack rate (71/10,000) occurred in men aged 20 to 29 years of age.


CONCLUSIONS
This outbreak affected large numbers of young homosexual men living in the inner eastern suburbs of Sydney. Hepatitis A vaccination should be considered for all susceptible homosexual men. Further research into the use of hepatitis A vaccine as an outbreak control measure is also recommended.
Stokes
M L
ML
Public Health Unit, South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
Ferson
M J
MJ
Young
L C
LC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001727:Bisexuality; D002648:Child; D018563:Disease Notification; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D014195:Travel; D014504:Urban Health; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines