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6624597 
Journal Article 
Hepatitis A in New South Wales, Australia from consumption of oysters: the first reported outbreak 
Conaty, S; Bird, P; Bell, G; Kraa, E; Grohmann, G; Mcanulty, JM; , 
2000 
Yes 
Epidemiology and Infection
ISSN: 0950-2688
EISSN: 1469-4409 
English 
10722139 
Between 22 January and 4 April 1997, 467 hepatitis A cases were reported to the New South Wales Health Department, Australia. To identify the cause of the outbreak, we conducted a matched case-control study, and an environmental investigation. Among 66 cases and 66 postcode-matched controls, there was a strong association between illness and consumption of oysters (adjusted odds ratio 42; 95 % confidence interval 5-379). More than two-thirds of cases reported eating oysters, including one third of cases and no controls who reported eating oysters in the Wallis Lake area. A public warning was issued on 14 February, and Wallis Lake oysters were withdrawn from sale. Hepatitis A virus was subsequently identified in oyster samples taken from the lake. Hepatitis A virus poses a special risk to consumers who eat raw oysters because it can survive for long periods in estuaries and cause severe disease.