title: [Study of a population outbreak of hepatitis A. Effectiveness of vaccination as a control measure].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe an outbreak of hepatitis A in the city of Albacete (Spain) and to assess the effectiveness of the control measures implemented.
  
  
  METHODS
  When the outbreak was noted, definitions of a case were established. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected through a survey. The temporal-spatial distribution was identified through mapping and the epidemic curve. Health education and immunoglobulin (IG) administration were conducted as immediate prevention and control measures in the population at risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From January 2005 to January 2006, 62 cases were reported. The most affected age groups were school children and young adults. Transmission was person to person. The epidemic curve was divided into two periods. Initial control measures consisted of hygiene measures and IG administration to contacts. In the second period, these measures were complemented with vaccination against hepatitis A in students of the school centers of the two neighborhoods initially involved. Due to public alarm and spread of the outbreak to adjacent neighborhoods, vaccination was extended to schools close to those where cases had been detected. No cases were notified after the last vaccination in January 2006.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of vaccination after exposure to the hepatitis A virus in young adults and the school population seems to be an effective outbreak control measure.
authors.affiliation: Sección de Epidemiología, Delegación Provincial de Salud y Bienestar Social de Albacete, España.
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Díaz Villaescusa
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Almar Marqués
authors.forename: Angélica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gómez Martínez
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mateos Ramos
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Segura Cebollada
authors.forename: Isidro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: de la Cruz de Julián
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Navarro Honrubia
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramírez Córcoles
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines