Prevention of viral hepatitis A in the Moravian-Silesian Region from the perspective of Occupational Medicine

Overview

Acute viral hepatitis A is a highly contagious infectious disease requiring hospitalization and isolation of the patient and the need to ensure quarantine and other health and epidemiological measures. It is therefore a significant medical, but also socio-economic problem. Specific prevention through active immunization is of fundamental importance in disease control. Monovalent and combined vaccines against viral hepatitis A and B are available, which, when the recommended vaccination schedules are followed, provide long-term protective immunity. The vaccines are characterized by a favorable safety profile with mainly mild and transient side effects. The Center for Health Services of the Institute of Health based in Ostrava, the Department of Occupational Medicine and the Department of Health Support participated in the implementation of numerous measures in the Moravian-Silesian Region as a response to the epidemiological situation, including targeted vaccination campaigns in risk groups, especially in excluded locations and areas affected by floods or aimed at risk groups of the population, such as homeless people. Occupational medicine plays a significant role in this area, contributing to the identification of risky occupational exposures and the implementation of preventive strategies, including vaccination of employees in epidemiologically exposed professions. An interdisciplinary approach is very important for the effective management of this disease, in which occupational medicine also has an important position.

Keywords:

prevention – vaccination – occupational medicine – occupational exposure – viral hepatitis A – epidemiological measures