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The importance of imported infections in maintaining hepatitis B in The Netherlands

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 2004

I. K. VELDHUIJZEN ,
L. J. M. SMITS  and
M. J. W. van de LAAR
I. K. VELDHUIJZEN
Affiliation:
Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands Department of Infectious Diseases, Municipal Health Service Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
L. J. M. SMITS
Affiliation:
Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands Department of Epidemiology, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
M. J. W. van de LAAR
Affiliation:
Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Abstract

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In The Netherlands, in May 1999 an enhanced surveillance of hepatitis B was begun to collect detailed information of patients with acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The objective was to gain insight in transmission routes and source of infection of new HBV cases. Through public health services, patients were interviewed on risk factors. It appeared that the majority (59%) acquired the infection through sexual contact; 52% of these by homosexual and 48% by heterosexual contact. In 60% of the heterosexual cases, the source of infection was a partner originating from a hepatitis B-endemic region. Sexual transmission is the most common route of transmission of acute hepatitis B in The Netherlands and introduction of infections from abroad plays a key role in the current epidemiology of HBV. As well as prevention programmes targeted at sexual high-risk groups, prevention efforts should focus more on the heterosexual transmission from HBV carriers.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 133 , Issue 1 , February 2005 , pp. 113 - 119
Copyright
2004 Cambridge University Press