Korean J Hepatol.  2009 Dec;15(Suppl 6):S7-S12. 10.3350/kjhep.2009.15.S6.S7.

Current status of liver diseases in Korea: Hepatitis A

• Kwon SY

• KMID: 853301
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3350/kjhep.2009.15.S6.S7

Abstract

The seroprevalence of anti-HAV (hepatitis A virus) has been decreasing in Korea. The decrease in HAV infection in young adults has resulted in the reduction of individuals with protective antibody and an increase in hepatitis A in the adult population. The increase in HAV infection in adults will have an impact on the magnitude and severity of the disease. In Korea, symptomatic hepatitis A has been gradually increasing since the mid-1990s, with a tendency toward an increase in mean age and disease severity. The endemic genotype of HAV in Korea has been changing from genotype IA alone to a mixture of genotype IA and IIIA. Therefore, preventive measures including universal vaccination in infants and active immunization of the adult population should be considered.

Keyword

Hepatitis A; Epidemiology; Korea

MeSH Terms

Adult
Child
Hepatitis A/*epidemiology/immunology/prevention & control
Hepatitis A Vaccines/administration & dosage
Humans
Incidence
Korea/epidemiology
Seroepidemiologic Studies