Viral Hepatitis: An Occupational Hazard of Medical Personnel

Author:
  • EBEarl B. Byrne
    Earl B. Byrne
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Abstract
The occurrence of eight cases of viral hepatitis over a 13-month period among employees of the Yale-New Haven Hospital dramatically refocused attention on this disease as an occupational hazard. Epidemiological investigation was undertaken to determine the circumstances immediately responsible for the cases and to estimate the degree of risk for hospital personnel for the purpose of instituting long-term countermeasures. Recent Experience The eight employee cases of hepatitis occurred in four distinct episodes during the 13-month period (Table 1). The assistant resident of episode 1, who is believed to have acquired his disease from accidental self-inoculation with fibrinogen, donated blood while in the incubation phase of his illness. This blood along with several other units was administered to a patient in whom posttransfusional hepatitis of the long-incubation type subsequently developed. Episode 2 is presumed to have been initiated by a pediatric patient (hospitalized for nephrotic syndrome) with whom all episode 2