Clinical Updates
9 March 2010
Hepatitis A outbreak in France
As of 1 March 2010, 55 cases of hepatitis A have been reported throughout France by the French Institute of Public Health. Since the beginning of the outbreak in November 2009, 27 persons have been admitted to hospital in 18 metropolitan departments of France [1]. The highest number of cases have been reported from the departments of Hautes-Pyrenees and Pyrenees-Atlantiques (19 cases), and Lot (15 cases) [1].
Public health authorities are currently investigating the outbreak and preliminary information suggested dried tomatoes, used in sandwiches and salads, as a source of hepatitis A contamination. Investigations suggest that the tomatoes came from a single batch imported from Turkey and distributed in France from early October 2009 until late January 2010. This batch of tomatoes is no longer available, and so should not pose an ongoing risk. However, additional cases of hepatitis A may continue to occur because of the incubation period ranging from 15 to 50 days, the possibility of person to person transmission [1].
Advice for travellers
The risk of Hepatitis A for travellers visiting France is low. Hepatitis A is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the liver. The disease is transmitted through contaminated food or water, or direct contact with faeces in situations of poor hygiene or during certain sexual practices.
Hepatitis A occurs worldwide, and travellers are advised to practise strict food, water and personal hygiene precautions during travel, particularly in countries experiencing outbreaks.
Hepatitis A can also be prevented by vaccination. Vaccine recommendations for France are available on the NaTHNaC Country Information Pages.
References
1. The Institute for Public Health, France, Outbreak of hepatitis A, France, November 2009 - February 2010, 1 March 2010, [Accessed 09 March 2010]. Available at: http://www.invs.sante.fr/display/?doc=surveillance/hepatite_
Hepatitis A
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on hepatitis A
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