Hepatitis A transmitted by food.
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 by ingestion of HAV-contaminated food or water. Foodborne or waterborne hepatitis A outbreaks are relatively uncommon in the United States. However, food handlers with hepatitis A are frequently identified, and evaluation of the need for immunoprophylaxis and implementation of control measures are a considerable burden on public health resources. In addition, HAV-contaminated food may be the source of hepatitis A for an unknown proportion of persons whose source of infection is not identified.
Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. afiore@cdc.gov
Anthony E
AE
Fiore
D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004203:Disinfection; D005502:Food / Q000821:virology*; D005506:Food Contamination; D005511:Food Handling; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D017957:Hepatitis A Virus, Human; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014871:Water Microbiology