Indian Journal of Community Medicine (Jan 2007)
A study of hepatitis E outbreak in rural area of Western Maharashtra
Abstract
Aim: To study the profile of infective hepatitis cases in the study village. Objective: 1. To study the time, place, and person distribution of hepatitis cases in the study village. 2. To find the source of infection in the study village. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Rethare Khurd village (15 km south of Karad, on bank of River Krishna), over a period of September 4, 2004 to December 5, 2004. Participants: All residents of Rethare Khurd village. Statistical Analysis: Proportions, attack rate, Chi-square test were performed. Results: Total 3749 individuals were surveyed and examined, of which 1920 (51.21%) were males and 1829 (48.78%) were females. Total 8 males and 17 females suffered from infective hepatitis. Blood samples collected from 10 patients for liver function test and serological investigation confirmed a hepatitis E outbreak. Maximum numbers of cases were in the age group of 15-30 years. The overall attack rate was 0.66%. The difference in attack rate of hepatitis of both the sexes was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05).Only one ANC had infective hepatitis. Majority of the villagers (61.12%) defecated in the open near the intake well on the bank of River Krishna. Conclusion: This outbreak illustrates the role of the local Government in prevention and control of water borne epidemic and to strengthen the surveillance for water borne diseases in the rural area.
