Epidemiol Health.  2019;41:e2019038. 10.4178/epih.e2019038.

Causes and countermeasures for repeated outbreaks of hepatitis A among adults in Korea

• Ki M
• Son H
• Choi BY

• KMID: 2469440
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2019038

Abstract

The 2019 hepatitis A outbreak has become increasingly prevalent among adults in Korea and is the largest outbreak since that in 2009-2010. The incidence in the current outbreak is highest among adults aged 35-44 years, corresponding to the peak incidence among those aged 25-34 years 10 years ago. This may indicate a cohort effect in the corresponding age group. Causes of these repeated outbreaks of hepatitis A in Korea are low level of immunity among adults, Korean food culture that consumes raw seafood such as salted clam and inadequate public health system. Among countermeasures, along with general infectious disease control measures including control of the infectious agent, infection spread, and host, urgent actions are needed to review the vaccination policy and establish an adequate public health system.

Keyword

Hepatitis A virus; Outbreak; Immunization; Catch-up; Epidemiology; Public health

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Bivalvia
Cohort Effect
Communicable Diseases
Disease Outbreaks*
Epidemiology
Hepatitis A virus
Hepatitis A*
Hepatitis*
Humans
Immunization
Incidence
Korea*
Public Health
Seafood
Vaccination