OUTBREAK OF VIRAL-HEPATITIS-B IN A RURAL-COMMUNITY IN INDIA LINKED TOINADEQUATELY STERILIZED NEEDLES AND SYRINGES

In India, virtually all outbreaks of viral hepatitis are considered to be due to faeco-orally transmitted hepatitis E virus. Recently, a clu ster of 15 cases of viral hepatitis B was found in three villages in G ujarat State. The cases were epidemiologically linked to the use of in adequately sterilized needles and syringes by a local unqualified medi cal practitioner. The outbreak evolved slowly over a period of 3 month s and was marked by a high case fatality rate (46.7%), probably becaus e of concurrent infection with hepatitis D virus (HDV) or sexually tra nsmitted infections. But for the many fatalities within 2-3 weeks of t he onset of illness, the outbreak would have gone unnoticed. The findi ngs emphasize the importance of inadequately sterilized needles and sy ringes in the transmission of Viral hepatitis B in India, the need to strengthen the routine surveillance system, and to organize an educati on campaign targeting all health care workers including private practi tioners, especially those working in rural areas, as well as the publi c at large, to take all possible measures to prevent this often fatal infection.