Outbreak of Hepatitis A in a Region in Mazandaran Province

Acute viral hepatitis is one of the world's health problems today.  An outbreak of hepatitis A virus occurred in a rural area in ​​Mazandaran province, north of Iran, 2019. This research aimed at examining this outbreak in detail in order to study the epidemiological and economic burden, and the possible source of pollution.

This descriptive case report study presents the cases of seven members of a family of nine with acute symptoms of hepatitis.

In this family, seven members were found with clinical and laboratory symptoms of acute hepatitis, all of whom were positive for HAV Igm serology tests. According to the short incubation period and contamination of common origin, the most probable route of transmission, considering the health condition and residence of the people studied, was contaminated water.

According to the investigation on water plumbing system and location of the residential building (at the end of the village), contamination entered the water plumbing system through sewage and drinking water is regarded as the main cause of the disease.