Epidemiology of hepatitis E and A in Ludhiana.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To study the epidemiology of hepatitis E and A in Ludhiana. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of laboratory data of the year 2001 was done, to study the epidemiology of hepatitis E and A in Ludhiana in relation to prevalence, age, sex, area of residence and seasonal variation. RESULTS: Prevalence of HEV was 13.9%. Infection with it occurred through out the year with no preponderance of cases following the monsoons. Young male adults between 20-40 years of age were predominantly affected. Prevalence of HAV was 5.5% affecting mainly children below 14 years of age. Population of urban areas around "Gandha Naliash" (a large open sewer) was at high risk as there was clustering of HEV & HAV cases around that area.