Environmental risk factors for hepatitis A infection in the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the Zenica-Doboj Canton, 1106 hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections were reported during 2000 (an incidence rate of 252/100 000 population), with 996 (90.1%) cases occurring in nine community-wide outbreaks. Analysis of water supplies showed that 398 (19.1%) samples contained coliforms, including 202 (50.8%) that were contaminated with thermotolerant Escherichia coli. Sewage sanitation systems were absent or substandard in 53 910 (81.8%) rural households. The group most affected during outbreaks comprised children aged 7-14 years (incidence rate of 598/100 000). The development of health promotion and prevention initiatives in schools, combined with rigorous hygiene measures, will be necessary to achieve control of the spread of HAV.
Uzunovic-Kamberovic
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Laboratory for Clinical and Sanitary Microbiology, Contonal Public Health Institute Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. selma_kamb@yahoo.com
Durmisevic
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Tandir
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D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000453:epidemiology; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012499:Sanitation; D012722:Sewage; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards
D012722:Sewage