Chapter 4

Epidemiology and Prevention

Benjamin Cowie

Benjamin Cowie

Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

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Stephen A. Locarnini

Stephen A. Locarnini

Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

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First published: 26 July 2013

Summary

Hepatitis A infects millions of humans annually, with the epidemiological patterns of infection showing distinct differences related to access to adequate sanitation and hygiene. These differences influence age at infection, which in turn largely determines the clinical course of infection. In addition to improving access to sanitation and clean drinking water, active and passive vaccination play important roles in the prevention of hepatitis A infection.

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