Determining the burden of foodborne hepatitis A spread by food handlers: suggestions for a targeted vaccination?
IntroductionHepatitis A virus (HAV) remains a significant foodborne pathogen, particularly when food handlers serve as the source of contamination. Its high infectivity and environmental persistence allow the virus to survive on hands, surfaces, and food, facilitating widespread transmission even fr...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1617004/full |
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| author | Cecilia Trucchi Filippo Del Puente Carolina Piccinini Marco Roveta Marina Sartini Marina Sartini Maria Luisa Cristina Maria Luisa Cristina |
| author_facet | Cecilia Trucchi Filippo Del Puente Carolina Piccinini Marco Roveta Marina Sartini Marina Sartini Maria Luisa Cristina Maria Luisa Cristina |
| author_sort | Cecilia Trucchi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionHepatitis A virus (HAV) remains a significant foodborne pathogen, particularly when food handlers serve as the source of contamination. Its high infectivity and environmental persistence allow the virus to survive on hands, surfaces, and food, facilitating widespread transmission even from a single distribution point.MethodsThis systematic review, Prospero registration number: CRD420250651930, analyzed 32 studies reporting HAV outbreaks linked to food handlers to assess whether vaccination could be an effective preventive strategy.ResultsMost outbreaks occurred in North America and Europe, with index cases almost exclusively identified among food workers. Outbreak sizes varied, though the majority involved fewer than 50 cases.DiscussionStudies highlighted critical challenges, including underreporting, asymptomatic cases, and delayed interventions. Control measures largely relied on immunoglobulin administration, while vaccination was rarely implemented and showed poor adherence among food service staff. Although economic analyses were limited and sometimes inconclusive, some evidence suggested potential healthcare savings from prevention efforts. Considering HAV’s high transmissibility and the difficulty of timely outbreak detection, targeted vaccination of food handlers—especially those in high-risk settings or seasonal employment—emerges as a promising method of biological risk management in food industries. These considerations could support food industries in considering vaccination as a tool to prevent foodborne HAV transmission. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2b54c69729bc497aa53d62a27f73ad3c |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-2b54c69729bc497aa53d62a27f73ad3c2025-07-01T13:09:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-06-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.16170041617004Determining the burden of foodborne hepatitis A spread by food handlers: suggestions for a targeted vaccination?Cecilia Trucchi0Filippo Del Puente1Carolina Piccinini2Marco Roveta3Marina Sartini4Marina Sartini5Maria Luisa Cristina6Maria Luisa Cristina7Local Health Unit 3, Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, ItalyLocal Health Unit 3, Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, ItalyOperating Unit Hospital Hygiene, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, ItalyOperating Unit Hospital Hygiene, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, ItalyIntroductionHepatitis A virus (HAV) remains a significant foodborne pathogen, particularly when food handlers serve as the source of contamination. Its high infectivity and environmental persistence allow the virus to survive on hands, surfaces, and food, facilitating widespread transmission even from a single distribution point.MethodsThis systematic review, Prospero registration number: CRD420250651930, analyzed 32 studies reporting HAV outbreaks linked to food handlers to assess whether vaccination could be an effective preventive strategy.ResultsMost outbreaks occurred in North America and Europe, with index cases almost exclusively identified among food workers. Outbreak sizes varied, though the majority involved fewer than 50 cases.DiscussionStudies highlighted critical challenges, including underreporting, asymptomatic cases, and delayed interventions. Control measures largely relied on immunoglobulin administration, while vaccination was rarely implemented and showed poor adherence among food service staff. Although economic analyses were limited and sometimes inconclusive, some evidence suggested potential healthcare savings from prevention efforts. Considering HAV’s high transmissibility and the difficulty of timely outbreak detection, targeted vaccination of food handlers—especially those in high-risk settings or seasonal employment—emerges as a promising method of biological risk management in food industries. These considerations could support food industries in considering vaccination as a tool to prevent foodborne HAV transmission.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1617004/fullhepatitis Aoutbreakfoodfood handlersvaccinationpublic health |
| spellingShingle | Cecilia Trucchi Filippo Del Puente Carolina Piccinini Marco Roveta Marina Sartini Marina Sartini Maria Luisa Cristina Maria Luisa Cristina Determining the burden of foodborne hepatitis A spread by food handlers: suggestions for a targeted vaccination? Frontiers in Public Health hepatitis A outbreak food food handlers vaccination public health |
| title | Determining the burden of foodborne hepatitis A spread by food handlers: suggestions for a targeted vaccination? |
| title_full | Determining the burden of foodborne hepatitis A spread by food handlers: suggestions for a targeted vaccination? |
| title_fullStr | Determining the burden of foodborne hepatitis A spread by food handlers: suggestions for a targeted vaccination? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Determining the burden of foodborne hepatitis A spread by food handlers: suggestions for a targeted vaccination? |
| title_short | Determining the burden of foodborne hepatitis A spread by food handlers: suggestions for a targeted vaccination? |
| title_sort | determining the burden of foodborne hepatitis a spread by food handlers suggestions for a targeted vaccination |
| topic | hepatitis A outbreak food food handlers vaccination public health |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1617004/full |
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