Evaluation of occupational transmission of hepatitis A virus among wastewater workers

To provide information concerning potential occupational transmission of he patitis A virus (HAV) among wastewater workers in a large city in the Unite d States, a cross-sectional survey was performed using a saliva test to det ect antibodies to HAV(anti-HAV), Fifty-nine (20%) of 302 participants teste d positive for anti-HAV, After controlling for the confounding effects of a ge and race, wastewater work was not significantly associated with an incre ase in the prevalence of anti-HAV (prevalence ratio = 1.3; 95% confidence i nterval 0.7 to 2.4), Additionally, when examining only the wastewater worke rs, no statistically significant occupational risk factors for anti-HAV wer e identified. The results of this survey are consistent with the position o f the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding groups at risk f or HAV infection.