Hepatitis A at Jam Band Concerts Alert
Hepatitis A: Inflammation of
the liver due to a virus that is usually transmitted by food or drink handled by
an infected person whose hygiene is poor. Symptoms include nausea, fever, and jaundice. Diagnosis is by blood test.
When immediate protection against hepatitis A is needed, gamma globulin
(immunoglobulin) is used. It is effective only if given within 2 weeks of
exposure, and lasts 2 to 4 months. Immunoglobulin can be used to protect close
contacts of someone with hepatitis. Hepatitis A is also called infectious
hepatitis.
This Story: The CDC requests that young to middle-aged adults with
newly diagnosed hepatitis A be asked by their healthcare providers if they have
attended a "jam band" concert or any outdoor concert and associated
camping event and, if so, report it to the CDC.
Comments: Knowing nothing about jam band concerts, we searched on
Google and learned that this weekend alone there are events scheduled in Canton,
IA; San Diego and San Rafael, CA ; The Tieton River Bed, WA; Marion, IN; Xenia,
OH; Geneva, MN; Eau Claire, WI; Hartford, CT; Pulaski, Deansboro, and Sherman,
NY; Lewisville, NC; Quarryville, PA; Elkins, WV; and Gore, VA.
While the Department of Homeland Security is focused on
smallpox and other unusual forms of bioterrorism, we have hepatitis A traveling about the USA
coast-to-coast from one jam band concert to the next. Coming soon to a concert
near you!
For additional information please visit the following MedicineNet.com areas:
Barbara K. Hecht,
Ph.D.
Frederick Hecht, M.D.
Medical Editors, MedicineNet.com
Public Health Dispatch: Multistate Outbreak of Hepatitis A Among Young
Adult Concert Attendees --- United States, 2003
In July 2003, a cluster of hepatitis A cases was
identified among young adults who had attended outdoor concert and camping
events featuring various "jam bands." As of September 2, a total of 25 cases
have been reported among residents of nine states (Arizona, California,
Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, and Wisconsin). The
majority of cases were among young adults who attended concerts during the
spring and summer. The median age of infected persons was 23 years (range:
17--44 years); 14 (56%) were male.
The bands performing at these concerts and festivals
attract fans who travel from one concert to another, sometimes continuously over
several months. Concerts often are multiday events involving camping on
established or impromptu campgrounds, and sanitary conditions sometimes are
poor. Unofficial food vendors are common at these events, and many are concert
attendees. Attendance at the events has ranged from 1,200 to 82,000 persons. At
large outdoor gatherings, crowded conditions, a lack of hand-washing facilities,
and poor sanitation might contribute to the potential for disease transmission (1,2).
Epidemiologic and laboratory investigations are under
way to identify potential sources of hepatitis A virus infection and modes of transmission.
Several patients have reported close contact with other ill patients during the
incubation period, suggesting that
person-to-person transmission might play an important role in the spread of the
infection. On the basis of early findings in this investigation, vaccination and education campaigns were held at two recent
concert events. Approximately 300 attendees were vaccinated, and several
contacts were administered postexposure prophylaxis.
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