Changing epidemiology of hepatitis A in the 1990s in Sydney, Australia

Surveillance of hepatitis A in residents of Eastern Sydney Health Area iden tified substantial epidemics in homosexual males in 1991-2 with a peak rate of 520 per 100000 recorded in males aged 25-29 years, and again in 1995-6, with a peak rate of 405 per 100000 per year in males aged 30-34 years. Dur ing 1994-5 an epidemic was detected among disadvantaged youth associated wi th injecting drug use; peak rates of 200 per 100000 per year were reported in males aged 25-29 years and of 64 per 100000 per year among females aged 20-24 years. The epidemiology of hepatitis A in these inner suburbs of Sydn ey is characterized by very few childhood cases and recurrent epidemics amo ng homosexual men. Identified risk groups need to be targeted with appropri ate messages regarding the importance of hygiene and vaccination in prevent ing hepatitis A. However, poor access to health services among disadvantage d youth and a constant influx of young homosexual males into these inner su burbs present major challenges to hepatitis A control.