Journal article
Outbreak of hepatitis A in the USA associated with frozen pomegranate arils imported from Turkey: an epidemiological case study
Imported frozen pomegranate arils were identified as the vehicle early in the investigation by combining epidemiology—with data from several sources—genetic analysis of patient samples, and product tracing. Product B was removed from store shelves, the public were warned not to eat product B, product recalls took place, and postexposure prophylaxis with both hepatitis A virus vaccine and immunoglobulin was provided. Our findings show that modern public health actions can help rapidly detect and control hepatitis A virus illness caused by imported food. Our findings show that postexposure prophylaxis can successfully prevent hepatitis A illness when a specific product is identified. Imported food products combined with waning immunity in some adult populations might make this type of intervention necessary in the future.
Authors
Languages
- English
Publication year
2014
Journal
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Volume
10
Type
Journal article
Categories
- Programme management
Diseases
- Hepatitis A
Countries
- United States
Tags
- Health promotion
WHO Regions
- Region of the Americas