Viral hepatitis associated with day-care centers

JAMA. 1979 Oct 5;242(14):1514-8.

Abstract

From September 1976 through March 1978, we investigated 11 outbreaks of non-B viral hepatitis associated with Louisiana day-care centers. The outbreaks included 168 cases, most of which were erroneously considered "sporadic" cases of non-B viral hepatitis prior to the investigations. Thirteen percent of all non-B viral hepatitis cases reported in the New Orleans metropolitan area during 1977 were associated with one of the outbreaks. Most of the cases in each outbreak and 85% overall were in older, usually adult, contacts of children attending the day-care centers. Within the household, parents appeared to be at greatest risk, particularly those who had 1- to 2-year-old children in the day-care center. Day-care center outbreaks of non-B hepatitis are easily overlooked and may be more widespread than is currently appreciated.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Child
  • Child Day Care Centers*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Outbreaks / epidemiology*
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Hepatitis A / immunology
  • Hepatitis A / transmission
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / transmission*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Louisiana
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral