Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)最新文献

{"title":"Symptom profile of COVID-19 in children in the Metro South area of Brisbane, during the first SARS-CoV-2 Omicron wave: a population-based survey.","authors":"Bonnie M Macfarlane, Yee Sum Li, Christian James, Khin Chaw, Satyamurthy Anuradha","doi":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>An increase in gastrointestinal infections in Early Childhood Education and Care notified to the public health unit in the Metro South area of Brisbane, Australia, coincided with the peak of the first Omicron wave in 2022. This made public health messaging and advice on outbreak management challenging. We hypothesised that gastrointestinal symptoms were a feature of the Omicron variant infection. At the time, there was a paucity of data on presenting symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 among Australian children.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe the symptom profile of COVID-19 in children residing in a large Metropolitan area in Queensland during the first Omicron wave.</p><p><strong>Methods, setting, and participants: </strong>Participation was invited from cases of COVID-19 notified in those 17 years or younger via the Queensland Notifiable Conditions System between 7 February and 13 March 2022. A retrospective self-reported survey of these children was conducted at the end of May 2022 to understand the symptom profile and severity of infection.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 285 responses received, 91% reported being symptomatic; the most common symptoms noted were fever (75%), fatigue (57%), sore throat (55%), headache (55%), cough (50%) and runny nose (48%). Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in 33% of cases. A majority of the children had either fever (31%) or respiratory symptoms (40%) as the first symptom, with only 7% reporting gastrointestinal symptoms as their first symptom. Close to three-quarters of the children had symptoms that lasted for four days or less. Medical advice/treatment was sought by 17% of symptomatic cases.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The majority of children with COVID-19 during the Omicron wave had fever or respiratory related symptoms as their first symptoms. Gastrointestinal symptoms were uncommon as the first symptom or in conjunction with other symptoms. Understanding the symptom profile in children helps inform institutional settings of their infection control practices and public health messaging.</p>","PeriodicalId":36867,"journal":{"name":"Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)","volume":"49 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144094254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The first year of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) surveillance in Tasmania, 1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023.","authors":"Michelle McPherson, Nicola Stephens, Bhavika Yadav, Shannon Melody","doi":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) became notifiable in Tasmania on 1 July 2022. This study describes the epidemiology and data quality of all notifications of laboratory confirmed RSV that had a specimen collection date from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 in Tasmania. Descriptive analysis was undertaken by age group, sex, month of notification and residential location; data quality was assessed through completeness of reporting. There were 4,491 notifications of RSV in Tasmania, equating to a notification rate of 779 per 100,000 population per year. The highest proportion of RSV notifications were in children, there was a seasonal increase during winter and higher notification rates in the North region. Data completeness was greater than 98% for most person, place and time variables. This analysis of RSV notifications provides a baseline for the ongoing surveillance of RSV in Tasmania.</p>","PeriodicalId":36867,"journal":{"name":"Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)","volume":"49 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144094200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program Annual Report, 2023.","authors":"Sarah Thomas, Nada Bogdanovic-Sakran, Celeste M Donato, Archana T Sriraman, Daniel Pavlic, Julie E Bines","doi":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>This report from the Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program describes the circulating rotavirus genotypes identified in children and adults during the period 1 January to 31 December 2023. During this period, 1,942 faecal samples were referred for rotavirus G- and P- genotype analysis; of these samples, 1,781 were confirmed as rotavirus positive. This is the highest number of rotavirus-positive confirmed samples by the Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program in the past > 20 years of operation of the program. Of these confirmed rotavirus positive samples, 1,554 of 1,781 (87.3%) were identified as wildtype rotavirus, and 226 of 1,781 (12.7%) were identified as the Rotarix vaccine-like strain. G3P[8] was the dominant genotype nationally (n = 1,117/1,554; 71.9%), comprised of both human G3P[8] (n = 662/1,554; 42.6%) and the equine-like G3P[8] variant (455/1,554; 29.3%). Other frequently identified genotypes included G2P[4] (n = 146/1,554; 9.4%), G12P[8] (n = 100/1,554; 6.4%), G1P[8] (n = 40/1,554; 2.6%), G9P[4] (n = 32/1,554; 2.1%) and G8P[8] (n = 21/1,554; 1.4%). Genotype distribution was consistent amongst most jurisdictions, with human G3P[8] and equine-like G3P[8] the two dominant genotypes in all jurisdictions, with the exception of the Northern Territory and Western Australia where G2P[4] (7/103; 6.8%) and G12P[8] (54/241; 22.4%) were the second most dominant genotypes respectively. Consistent with observations in 2022, a small number of unusual genotypes were identified (n = 42/1,554; 2.7%), including G2P[8] (n = 18/1,554; 1.2%), and G3P[4] (n = 6/1,554; 0.4%). The high number of rotavirus positive samples received by the program reflected the notifications for rotavirus disease reported to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance Service. The ability to monitor the genotypes of rotavirus strains causing disease across ages and across jurisdictions provides important data on assessing the performance of the national rotavirus vaccine program and to inform public health interventions during outbreaks. This Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program also provides important data to monitor annual variations in genotypic patterns and to provide diagnostic laboratories with quality assurance by reporting incidences of wildtype, vaccine-like, or false positive rotavirus results.</p>","PeriodicalId":36867,"journal":{"name":"Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)","volume":"49 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144095193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antimicrobial resistance in northern Australia: the HOTspots surveillance and response program annual epidemiology report 2022.","authors":"Teresa M Wozniak, Alys R Young, Aminath Shausan, Amy Legg, Michael J Leung, Sonali A Coulter, Shalinie Pereira, Robert W Baird, Majella G Murphy","doi":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The HOTspots surveillance and response program monitors antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in selected bacterial pathogens across three jurisdictions in northern Australia. In 2022, the program collected data from 164 community healthcare clinics and 50 hospitals to assess AMR trends and geographic variations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data on resistance rates for methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) and for <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) were analysed. Geographic regions were compared to identify variations in AMR across the Northern Territory, northern Western Australia and northern Queensland. Resistance rates were compared between community clinics and hospitals.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>In 2022, there were 56,003 clinical isolates submitted to HOTspots. Geographic variation was evident in <i>S. aureus</i> methicillin resistance, with MRSA accounting for 14.4% of <i>S. aureus</i> isolates in the east, 53.1% in central northern Australia and 46.3% in western northern Australia. Clindamycin-resistant MRSA was highest in the Northern Territory (21.7%) compared to Western Australia (16.1%) and Queensland (5.9%), limiting treatment options for community-acquired MRSA. Ceftriaxone-resistant <i>E. coli</i> also varied geographically, with resistance rates ranging from 3.9% in the east to 23.4% in central and 10.1% in the west. High rates of ceftriaxone resistance were observed in both community clinics (10.6%) and hospitals (16.3%). Nitrofurantoin-resistant <i>E. coli</i> remained low (0.2%) and stable over the past five years.</p><p><strong>Interpretation: </strong>HOTspots data are critical for informing local antibiotic guidelines and aiding clinical decision-making. This detailed surveillance captures geographic and healthcare-setting-specific variations in AMR, which can improve regional treatment strategies across northern Australia, with a focus on the Northern Territory, which had previously lacked comprehensive surveillance.</p>","PeriodicalId":36867,"journal":{"name":"Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)","volume":"49 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144095126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hospital-based surveillance of respiratory syncytial virus in Central Queensland.","authors":"Mahmudul Hassan Al Imam, Reema Goswami, Caitlyn Bolck, Jacina Walker, Michael Kirk, Robert Menzies, Gulam Khandaker","doi":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections, especially in infants and young children globally. Despite its impact, RSV testing and epidemiological data remain limited, particularly in regional Australia. Central Queensland, with its subtropical climate, provides a unique setting in which to study RSV trends, testing patterns, and associated hospital burden.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study used hospital-based data to analyse RSV-related hospitalisations and testing from Central Queensland. Data were collected retrospectively between 2018 and 2021 and prospectively between 2022 and 2023. Eligible cases included individuals presenting to or admitted at any hospitals in Central Queensland with laboratory-confirmed RSV or RSV-related diagnoses based on ICD-10-AM codes. The analysis focused on RSV-related hospital admissions and hospitalisation outcomes. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) for hospitalisation rates between the two periods were calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between 2018 and 2023, there were 1,279 RSV-related hospitalisations, with 53.2% of cases being male. Infants under 12 months accounted for the highest proportion of admissions (38.4%). RSV-related hospitalisations peaked during the prospective study period, rising from 123 in 2018 to 357 in 2023. The hospitalisation rate among infants was significantly higher in the prospective study period compared to the retrospective study period (IRR: 2.2; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.8-2.6; p < 0.001). The Indigenous population had a significantly higher hospitalisation rate than the non-Indigenous population over the whole study period (IRR: 3.1; 95% CI: 2.7-3.6; p < 0.001). The median length of stay was two days, with 20.6% of those hospitalised requiring ventilation, 2.2% needing intensive care unit (ICU) support, and 0.9% of hospitalisations resulting in death. Mortality was highest among those aged 60 years and above (91.7%). Although infants under 12 months had the lowest RSV testing rates (9.8%), they had the highest test positivity rate (16.4%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>RSV admissions have been under-reported due to limited testing. Increased awareness and widespread testing during prospective surveillance revealed a significant rise in RSV-related admissions. These findings underscore the need for enhanced RSV testing, improved resource allocation, and expanded immunisation efforts to effectively manage the burden of RSV.</p>","PeriodicalId":36867,"journal":{"name":"Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)","volume":"49 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144095196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) in the Torres Strait and Cape York: surveillance insights pre- and post- mandatory notification.","authors":"Eliza Cropp, Caroline Taunton, Malcolm McDonald, Nancy Lui-Gamia, Debra Nona, Allison Hempenstall","doi":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is an immune-mediated kidney condition, typically affecting children. While the incidence has declined in urban Australia, APSGN remains a major concern in rural and remote communities, particularly among First Nations children. This study describes the epidemiology of APSGN in the Torres Strait and Cape York region of Far North Queensland (FNQ) over a three-year period, from January 2022 to December 2024, which spanned pre- and post-mandatory public health notification of APSGN in Queensland. Cases were initially identified through electronic medical record alerts and later augmented by clinical notification when APSGN became notifiable in Queensland in October 2023. Over the three years of our study period, there were 75 confirmed, probable and possible cases identified, including outbreaks on Waiben (Thursday Island) and New Mapoon. The median age of cases was six years (interquartile range: 4-9 years), with 92% of cases occurring in children under 15, all from First Nations backgrounds. The 63 confirmed and probable cases in children under 15 represent an incidence within this population of 390 cases per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval: 294-486 per 100,000 person-years), ostensibly the highest documented rate globally. In the modern era, the burden of this preventable disease for FNQ First Nations children is the highest in the world. Progress will only be made by addressing the underlying social determinants of health, including childhood disadvantage and household crowding.</p>","PeriodicalId":36867,"journal":{"name":"Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)","volume":"49 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144095122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Report on influenza viruses received and tested by the Melbourne WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza during 2023.","authors":"Tanya R Diefenbach-Elstob, Olivia Lay, Tasoula Zakis, Nikita Deshpande, Sally Soppe, Heidi Peck, Saira Hussain, Yi-Mo Deng, Clyde Depat, Kanta Subbarao, Ian G Barr","doi":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>As part of its role in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne received a record 15,014 human influenza-positive samples during 2023. Viruses were analysed for their antigenic, genetic, and antiviral susceptibility properties. Selected viruses were propagated in qualified cells or embryonated hens' eggs for potential use in seasonal influenza virus vaccines. During 2023, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B/Victoria viruses predominated, accounting for 37% and 28% respectively of all viruses received, compared to 12% for influenza A(H3N2). The majority of A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses analysed at the Centre were found to be antigenically and genetically similar to the respective WHO recommended vaccine strains for the southern hemisphere in 2023. Of 5,531 samples tested for susceptibility to the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir, seven A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses showed highly reduced inhibition against oseltamivir.</p>","PeriodicalId":36867,"journal":{"name":"Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)","volume":"49 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144095199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease surveillance in Australia: update to 31 December 2023.","authors":"Christiane Stehmann, Matteo Senesi, Shannon Sarros, Amelia McGlade, Victoria Lewis, Laura Ellett, Priscilla Agustina, Daniel Barber, Genevieve Klug, Catriona A McLean, Colin L Masters, Stephen J Collins","doi":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.012","DOIUrl":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Nationwide surveillance of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and other human prion diseases is performed by the Australian National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Registry (ANCJDR). National surveillance encompasses the period since 1 January 1970, with prospective surveillance occurring from 1 October 1993. Over this prospective surveillance period, considerable developments have occurred in pre-mortem diagnostics; in the delineation of new disease subtypes; and in heightened awareness of prion diseases in healthcare settings. Surveillance practices of the ANCJDR have evolved and adapted accordingly. This report summarises the activities of the ANCJDR during 2023. Since the ANCJDR began offering diagnostic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 14-3-3 protein testing in Australia in September 1997, the annual number of referrals has steadily increased. In 2023, a total of 651 domestic CSF specimens were referred for diagnostic testing and 83 persons with suspected human prion disease were formally added to the national register. As of 31 December 2023, just under half of the 83 suspect case notifications (41) remain classified as 'incomplete'; 10 cases were classified as 'definite' and 28 as 'probable' prion disease; three cases were excluded through neuropathological examination and one was removed from the register as 'unlikely CJD' after clinical evaluation. For 2023, fifty-three percent of all suspected human-prion-disease-related deaths in Australia underwent neuropathological examination. No cases of variant or iatrogenic CJD were identified.</p>","PeriodicalId":36867,"journal":{"name":"Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)","volume":"49 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143701561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A foodborne norovirus outbreak associated with six events and a single caterer, Canberra, November 2022.","authors":"Alison Chew, Felicity Greenville, Nevada Pingault, Siobhan Barrett, Natasha Waters, Lyndell Hudson, Jenny Post","doi":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.016","DOIUrl":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>An outbreak of gastrointestinal illness was investigated, affecting six events where attendees consumed food catered by a single catering business, in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Event attendees and the catering business were surveyed using tailored food questionnaires developed in REDCap and administered on-line. Descriptive analyses were conducted for all event attendees and employees of the business, and non-fatal productivity loss estimates calculated. Retrospective cohort studies were conducted for events that occurred on two specific days. A food safety inspection was undertaken of the catering business, and food and environmental samples were collected for microbiological analysis. Faecal specimens were collected from symptomatic event attendees.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 82.2% of event attendees (129/157) completed a survey, of whom 49.6% (64/129) reported gastrointestinal illness resulting in an estimated non-fatal productivity loss of AUD $23,700. Univariate analysis of data collected from events on 16 November identified that illness was significantly associated with consumption of vegetarian rice paper rolls (risk ratio [RR]: 1.6; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.0-3.0; <i>p</i> = 0.04). Multiple foods were significantly associated with illness from events that occurred on 17 November 2022. On multivariable analysis, vegetarian rice paper rolls were associated with illness on 16 November 2022 (RR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.01-2.8; <i>p</i> = 0.046); however no individual food categories were significantly associated with illness on 17 November 2022. Seven faecal specimens were positive for norovirus. While no food handlers reported illness prior to the outbreak, one food handler reported that their child had had gastroenteritis in the preceding week. Environmental Health inspection of the catering business identified inadequate handwashing facilities. Microbiological testing of seven food samples produced two marginal results: coagulase positive <i>Staphylococcus</i> in a sandwich egg mix and a high standard plate count in the roast beef.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This gastroenteritis outbreak was determined to be due to norovirus. The infection source was suspected to be an asymptomatic food handler and inadequate food handling controls allowing contamination of certain foods. This study demonstrates the importance of effective hand hygiene and food handling practices at all times, given that asymptomatic individuals can excrete and transmit norovirus and these outbreaks can be large and costly.</p>","PeriodicalId":36867,"journal":{"name":"Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)","volume":"49 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143701481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B in Far North Queensland, 2013-2023.","authors":"Josh Hanson, Sharna Radlof, Jenna Coffman, Kathy Lort-Phillips, Simon Smith, Allison Hempenstall, Annie Preston-Thomas","doi":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.026","DOIUrl":"10.33321/cdi.2025.49.026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>With optimal antenatal and perinatal care and immunisation, the risk of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) approaches zero. However, it can be logistically challenging to deliver this care to culturally and linguistically diverse populations and to those individuals who are living in remote Australian communities. This study examined the management of pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and their children in Far North Queensland (FNQ). It was hoped that this would identify the successes and limitations of the current FNQ HBV programme which was established in June 2017.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used the Queensland notifiable diseases register to identify every female of childbearing age (13-45 years) living in FNQ with CHB during the study period 1 January 2013 - 31 December 2023. We identified the children born to these women during the study period and assessed whether their care was concordant with current Australian HBV management guidelines.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified 261 women of childbearing age who had 148 live births during the study period: 93/148 children (63%) were born to First Nations Australian mothers; 58/148 (39%) were born to mothers who were born overseas; and 46/148 (31%) were born to mothers who lived in remote locations. After establishment of the FNQ HBV programme, 71/77 pregnancies (92%) had optimal antenatal HBV care; 71/77 (92%) had optimal perinatal HBV care; and 72/77 infants (94%) had complete HBV vaccination. There have been no children confirmed to be hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive since the establishment of the FNQ HBV programme. However, only 70/148 children (47%) have had HBsAg testing.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Antenatal and perinatal care and infant vaccination is currently concordant with national HBV guidelines in > 90% of pregnancies in the FNQ region. There has been no confirmed mother-to-child HBV transmission since establishment of a local HBV programme, although improved child testing is necessary to substantiate this finding.</p>","PeriodicalId":36867,"journal":{"name":"Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)","volume":"49 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143701584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}