ABSTRACT
To combat hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Taiwan, a mass immunoprophylaxis program was launched on July 1, 1984, aiming first at prevention of chronic HBV carriage from perinatal mother-to-infant infection. In the first 15-month period, 352,721 (78%) of 450,585 pregnant women were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); HBsAg was present in 62,359 (18%), with 50% of them categorized as highly infectious. Infants born to HBsAg-positive women were given 5 micrograms of a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine at ages 1, 5, and 9 weeks, with a booster at age 12 months. Infants of highly infectious carrier mothers received an additional 0.5 mL of hepatitis B immune globulin within 24 hours after birth. The coverage rate of the hepatitis B immune globulin was 77% in 27,375 infants born to highly infectious mothers, and that of the first, second, third, and the fourth doses of vaccine was 88%, 86%, 84%, and 71%, respectively, in infants of 55,620 carrier mothers. The reported untoward reactions to immunization were negligible. We conclude that a mass hepatitis B vaccination program is feasible in hyperendemic areas such as Taiwan; this should be a significant step toward the effective control of HBV infection in these areas.
Subject(s)
Carrier State , Hepatitis B/prevention & control , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious , Vaccination , Female , Hepatitis B/transmission , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/analysis , Hepatitis B e Antigens/analysis , Humans , Immunization Schedule , Immunization, Passive , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Registries , TaiwanABSTRACT
An outbreak of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) poisoning from the consumption of contaminated rice oil, covering four counties in central Taiwan, was investigated. There were 1843 cases by the end of 1980. The highest frequency of incidence occurred during the period from March to July 1979. The severity of clinical manifestations varied. Most patients showed symptoms of mild or moderate severity. The major age group affected was between 11 and 20 years old. Most of the victims were students and factory workers. The amount of PCB intake in each victim was estimated to be 0.7 to 1.84 g and the latent period from the time of intake to the onset of clinical manifestations was approximately 3 to 4 months. The patients' blood PCB concentrations ranged from 3 ppb to 1156 ppb; 44.27% of 613 patients had levels of 51 to 100 ppb and 27.6% PCB blood levels over 100 ppb. In the course of 3.5 years, 2061 persons were determined to be PCB poisoning victims. Now, except for a few severe cases, their skin symptoms are very much improved. Thirty-nine babies showing hyperpigmentation were born from PCB-poisoned mothers. The fatality rate was high: eight of them died. Another 24 deaths were reported among the PCB-poisoned group, almost half of them (12) from hepatoma, liver cirrhosis or liver diseases with hepatomegaly.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/epidemiology , Oils/poisoning , Oryza/poisoning , Polychlorinated Biphenyls/poisoning , Adolescent , Adult , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Food Contamination , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Japan , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/chemically induced , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/chemically induced , Skin Diseases/chemically induced , TaiwanSubject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/epidemiology , Hepatitis A/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Taiwan , Time FactorsABSTRACT
An outbreak of PCB poisoning through consumption of the contaminated rice oil in Central Taiwan was investigated. It covered four counties and there were 1,843 cases by the end of 1980. The highest frequency of incidence occurred during the period from March to July 1979. Severity of clinical manifestations was graded, most patients exhibiting mild or moderate severity. The major age group of the outbreak was between 11 to 20 years old. Most of the victims were students and factory workers. The amount of PCB intake in each victim was estimated to be 0.7 to 1.84 gm and the latent period from the time of intake to the onset of clinical manifestations was approximately three to four months. The patients' blood PCB concentrations ranged from 3 to 1,156 ppb. In 613 patients, 44.37% (272 patients) had PCB levels of 51-100 ppb, and 27.57% (169 patients) had levels over 100 ppb.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/epidemiology , Polychlorinated Biphenyls/poisoning , Acne Vulgaris/chemically induced , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Food Contamination , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/chemically induced , Oils/adverse effects , Oryza , Polychlorinated Biphenyls/blood , Taiwan , Time FactorsABSTRACT
An outbreak of PCB poisoning through consumption of the contaminated rice Oil in Central Taiwan was investigated. It covered four counties and there were 1,843 cases by the end of 1980. The highest frequency of incidence occurred during the period from March to July 1979. Severity of clinical manifestations was graded, most patients exhibiting mild or moderate severity. The major age group of the outbreak was between 11 to 20 years old. Most of the victims were students and factory workers. The amount of PCB intake in each victim was estimated to be 0.7 to 1.84 gm and the latent period from the time of intake to the onset of clinical manifestations was approximately three to four months. The patients' blood PCB concentrations ranged from 3 to 1,156 ppb. In 613 patients, 44.37% (272 patients) had PCB levels of 51-100 ppb, and 27.51% (169 patients) had levels over 100 ppb.
Subject(s)
Food Contamination , Foodborne Diseases/epidemiology , Oils/poisoning , Oryza , Polychlorinated Biphenyls/poisoning , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Child , Child, Preschool , Disease Outbreaks/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Polychlorinated Biphenyls/blood , Seasons , Sex Ratio , TaiwanSubject(s)
Babesiosis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Animals , Antibodies/analysis , Babesia/immunology , Babesiosis/immunology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Rural Health , TaiwanABSTRACT
Sera of 465 goats from several of the Indonesian islands were tested for indirect haemagglutinating (IHA) antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. Titers greater than or equal to 1:16 were found in 24% of the animals with approximately 11% having titers of greater than or equal to 1:256. Sera from pigs, cows, water buffaloes and horses were also tested and only pig sera had IHA antibodies at titers above greater than or equal to 1:16. The possible role of goats in transmission of toxoplasmosis is discussed briefly.
