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Epidemiological Characteristics and Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Hepatitis A in Spain in the Context of the 2016/2017 European Outbreak

Author

Listed:
  • María Guerrero-Vadillo

    (Doctorate Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, National University of Distance Education (UNED), 28015 Madrid, Spain
    National Centre for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Marina Peñuelas

    (National Centre for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Ángela Domínguez

    (Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
    Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Pere Godoy

    (Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Department of Medicine, Institut de Recerca Biomédica de Lleida (IRBLLeida)-Universidad de Lleida, 25008 Lleida, Spain)

  • Diana Gómez-Barroso

    (National Centre for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Nuria Soldevila

    (Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
    Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Conchita Izquierdo

    (Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, 08005 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Ana Martínez

    (Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, 08005 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Nuria Torner

    (Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Ana Avellón

    (Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Hepatitis Unit, National Centre of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28222 Majadahonda, Spain)

  • Cristina Rius

    (Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, 08023 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Carmen Varela

    (National Centre for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The aim of our study was to describe the results of the epidemiological surveillance of hepatitis A infections in Spain in the context of the 2016/2017 European outbreak, particularly of hepatitis A outbreaks reported in the MSM population, incorporating the results of a spatio-temporal analysis of cases. Hepatitis A cases and outbreaks reported in 2016–2017 to the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network were reviewed: outbreaks in which some of the cases belonged to the MSM group were described, and clusters of hepatitis A cases in men and women were analysed using a space–time scan statistic. Twenty-six outbreaks were identified, with a median size of two cases per outbreak, with most of the outbreak-related cases belonging to the 15–44 years-old group. Nearly 85% occurred in a household setting, and in all outbreaks, the mode of transmission was direct person-to-person contact. Regarding space–time analysis, twenty statistically significant clusters were identified in the male population and eight in the female population; clusters in men presented a higher number of observed cases and affected municipalities, as well as a higher percentage of municipalities classified as large urban areas. The elevated number of cases detected in clusters of men indicates that the number of MSM-related outbreaks may be higher than reported, showing that spatio-temporal analysis is a complementary, useful tool which may improve the detection of outbreaks in settings where epidemiological investigation may be more challenging.

Suggested Citation

  • María Guerrero-Vadillo & Marina Peñuelas & Ángela Domínguez & Pere Godoy & Diana Gómez-Barroso & Nuria Soldevila & Conchita Izquierdo & Ana Martínez & Nuria Torner & Ana Avellón & Cristina Rius & Carm, 2022. "Epidemiological Characteristics and Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Hepatitis A in Spain in the Context of the 2016/2017 European Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16775-:d:1003039
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