title: Viral hepatitis E outbreak in Al-Sadr city, Baghdad, Iraq.
abstract: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis in many developing countries. This study describes an outbreak of HEV infection in Al-Sadr city, Baghdad. Blood samples obtained from patients with jaundice attending 19 primary health care centres in AI-Sadr city during a 6-month period in 2005 were tested for HEV. HEV (IgM) antibodies were detected in 38.1% of 268 patients. The association of HEV infection with unacceptable residual chlorine concentrations and/or bacteriologically unsafe water samples was significant. High rates of HEV infection, low chlorine concentrations and unsafe water were reported in June. Gross isruption of sanitation and water supplies was the most likely contributing factor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Al-Nasrawi
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Al Diwan
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Al-Hadithi
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Saleh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002391:Catchment Area, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003906:Developing Countries; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq / Q000453:epidemiology; D007565:Jaundice / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data