HEPATITIS-B OUTBREAK AT GLENOCHIL PRISON DURING JANUARY TO JUNE 1993

Citation
Sj. Hutchinson et al., HEPATITIS-B OUTBREAK AT GLENOCHIL PRISON DURING JANUARY TO JUNE 1993, Epidemiology and infection, 121(1), 1998, pp. 185-191
Citations number
36
Categorie Soggetti
Public, Environmental & Occupation Heath","Infectious Diseases
Journal title
ISSN journal
09502688
Volume
121
Issue
1
Year of publication
1998
Pages
185 - 191
Database
ISI
SICI code
0950-2688(1998)121:1<185:HOAGPD>2.0.ZU;2-R
Abstract
This data linkage study examined the extent of hepatitis B transmissio n and co-infection with HIV among 636 former inmates of Glenochil pris on, Scotland, during an outbreak of bloodborne diseases in 1993 which was related to needle sharing. Eleven inmates imprisoned during the fi rst half of 1993 presented with hepatitis B infection, of whom co-infe ction with HIV was detected in six. Based on dates of test results in relation to time of imprisonment, seven definitely acquired their hepa titis B infection within the prison. Only two infections were reported to Scotland's hepatitis B register and neither could be prison-linked . This outbreak of hepatitis B is the first of its kind to be reported but not the first to have occurred. It not only highlights the urgenc y for measures to prevent further spread of infection among prisoners but also illustrates the need for comprehensive surveillance of hepati tis B infection, and the need for a protocol on how to manage such out breaks and on how to establish the extent of transmissions when acute hepatitis B occurs in prison.