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Hepatitis A Outbreak in Oslo Prompts Public Health Response
- Hepatitis A is an acute viral infection causing inflammation of the liver, caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV).
- While historically common in Norway, particularly before World War II due to contaminated water sources, current cases are primarily imported from regions with higher prevalence, including Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Asia.
- Transmission occurs primarily through the fecal-oral route – contaminated food and water, or close contact with an infected individual. sexual transmission, especially involving oral-anal contact, and shared syringe use also pose risks.
- the incubation period for Hepatitis A is approximately 2-6 weeks, typically around 4 weeks.
- Symptoms include fever, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, and jaundice.Children frequently enough experience mild or asymptomatic infections.The illness generally has a favorable prognosis and confers lifelong immunity.
- Treatment is supportive, as there is no specific antiviral medication for Hepatitis A.
- Prevention strategies include meticulous hand hygiene, vaccination before travel to endemic areas, and post-exposure prophylaxis (vaccination or immunoglobulin) within 14 days of potential exposure.
Hepatitis A, a viral liver infection, sees approximately 40 reported cases annually in Norway. Children typically experience milder symptoms.
The City of Oslo is coordinating with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet), the Norwegian Institute of Public health (Folkehelseinstituttet), and other municipalities to manage the current outbreak. The Folkehelseinstituttet reported an increase in cases linked to imported food products in late 2023, prompting the current investigation.
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