Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Outbreaks of hepatitis A in Denmark
In Denmark, some 30 people scattered across the country have fallen ill with hepatitis A in the last three months. The source of infection is most likely frozen berries. In Sweden, two people diagnosed with the same type of hepatitis A which in Denmark.
They were diagnosed in Denmark were interviewed about what they ate and then the answers were analyzed in Danish Disease Control Authority. The source of infection is most likely frozen berries, which are not heat treated before eating them, such as berries in smoothies. The study points out frozen strawberries, but it can also be other types of berries that caused the outbreak.
Two cases in Sweden
In Sweden, we are aware of two cases with the same type of hepatitis A which in Denmark. They were diagnosed in december 2012 and for these cases the source of infection is not known, but frozen berries in Denmark is of course a possibility. SMI now have a heightened awareness of cases of hepatitis A to determine whether the cases in Sweden have no connection with the Danish outbreak.
Hepatitis A virus causes an inflammation of the liver and spread globally, primarily through sewage contaminated water.
Contact:
Margaret L?fdahl, Infectious Diseases Institute, 08-457 2387
http://www.smittskyddsinstitutet.se/nyhetsarkiv/2013/utbrott-av-hepatit-a-i-danmark/
In Denmark, some 30 people scattered across the country have fallen ill with hepatitis A in the last three months. The source of infection is most likely frozen berries. In Sweden, two people diagnosed with the same type of hepatitis A which in Denmark.
They were diagnosed in Denmark were interviewed about what they ate and then the answers were analyzed in Danish Disease Control Authority. The source of infection is most likely frozen berries, which are not heat treated before eating them, such as berries in smoothies. The study points out frozen strawberries, but it can also be other types of berries that caused the outbreak.
Two cases in Sweden
In Sweden, we are aware of two cases with the same type of hepatitis A which in Denmark. They were diagnosed in december 2012 and for these cases the source of infection is not known, but frozen berries in Denmark is of course a possibility. SMI now have a heightened awareness of cases of hepatitis A to determine whether the cases in Sweden have no connection with the Danish outbreak.
Hepatitis A virus causes an inflammation of the liver and spread globally, primarily through sewage contaminated water.
Contact:
Margaret L?fdahl, Infectious Diseases Institute, 08-457 2387
http://www.smittskyddsinstitutet.se/nyhetsarkiv/2013/utbrott-av-hepatit-a-i-danmark/