Hepatitis A Infections among Food Handlers in the United States, 1993–2011. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharapov, Umid M.; Kentenyants, Karine; Groeger, Justina; Roberts, Henry; Holmberg, Scott D.; Collier, Melissa G.
• Is Part Of: Public health reports. Volume 131:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 26
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Public health -- United States -- Periodicals; 614.0973
• DOI: 10.1177/003335491613100107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-3549

Abstract

We reviewed news reports of hepatitis A virus (HAV)-infected food handlers in the United States from 1993 to 2011 using the LexisNexis® search engine. Using U.S. news reports, we identified 192 HAV-infected food handlers who worked while infectious; of these HAV-infected individuals, 34 (18%) transmitted HAV to restaurant patrons. News reports of HAV-infected food handlers declined from 1993 to 2011. This analysis suggests that universal childhood vaccination contributed to the decrease in reports of HAV-infected food handlers, but mandatory vaccination of this group is unlikely to be cost-effective.