Open AccessTogether let us confront it: An outbreak investigation of hepatitis B in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala
Author(s) -
Sangeetha Merrin Varghese,
A L Sheeja,
Abel K Samuel Johnson,
Abey Sushan,
C Nandini,
George Chandy,
P S Rakesh,
Mariamma Joseph,
Alice David,
Geethu Mathew,
Prince Alexander
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of family medicine and primary care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2278-7135
pISSN - 2249-4863
DOI - 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2343_20
Subject(s) - medicine , outbreak , transmission (telecommunications) , hepatitis b , psychological intervention , epidemiology , environmental health , population , hepatitis b virus , public health , demography , logistic regression , immunology , virology , virus , pathology , nursing , electrical engineering , sociology , engineering
Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The established routes of transmission are from mother to infant, sexual contact, and exposure to blood or body fluids. Though HBV is preventable by vaccine and robust infection control practices, outbreaks of HBV infection do occur in India. However, the state of Kerala with its health parameters, one among the best in the country, cannot afford to have continuing outbreaks. An unusual increase in the reported cases of Hepatitis B in a rural area of Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, called for an outbreak investigation.