Sources of Infection Among Persons With Acute Hepatitis A and No Identified Risk Factors During a Sustained Community-Wide Outbreak

Hepatitis A is a common vaccine-preventable disease in the United States. Most cases occur during community-wide outbreaks, which can be difficult to control. Many case-patients have no identified source. To identify foodborne and household sources of hepatitis A during a community-wide outbreak. Serologic and descriptive survey. Salt Lake County, Utah. A total of 355 household contacts of 170 persons reported with hepatitis A during May 1996 to December 1996, who had no identified source of infection; and 730 food handlers working in establishments where case-patients had eaten. Prevalence of immunoglobulin M antibodies to hepatitis A virus (IgM anti-HAV) among household and food service contacts. Overall, 70 household contacts (20%) were IgM anti-HAV-positive, including 52% of children 3 to 5 years old and 30% of children