Aim: The aim of this article is to assess the epidemiological situation of Hepatitis A in Poland in 2016 with the regard to the recent years.
Materials and methods: The assessment was conducted based on the results of the analysis of data from the bulletins “Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2016” and “Vaccinations in Poland in 2016”, as well as information from the individual case- questionnaires and reports from epidemiological investigations in outbreaks of hepatitis A, submitted by the sanitary-epidemiological stations to the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Surveillance in NIPH-NIH.
Results: In 2016 in Poland there were 35 cases of hepatitis A registered. Incidence per 100 000 inhabitants in the whole country was 0.09, but in different voivodeships varied from 0.03 (in Wielkopolskie voivodeship) to 0.28 (in podkarpackie voivodeship). The incidence among male was slightly higher than women and was 0.11 and 0.08/100 000 respectively.
Conclusions: In 2016 a decrease in the incidence and percentage of imported cases was observed (comparing it to the previous year). Because of the increasing part of population prone to infection good epidemiological situation concerning HAV in Poland paradoxically increases the risk of an occurrence of HAV epidemic, especially in the scope of ongoing large multistate HAV outbreak among MSM. In relation to this situation the enhancement of surveillance over this disease and undertaking anti-epidemic actions gains particular importance, especially when it comes to promoting vaccinations among members of risk groups.
Keywords: hepatitis A; epidemiology; HAV imported cases; public health; Poland; 2016.