Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

We report on a small (11 cases) outbreak of hepatitis A (HA) which occurred in the village of Narzole in the province of Cuneo, Northern Italy. Cases were reported during the period December 1993-March 1994 and centred around a Christian community centre caring for broken homes. Eight cases were children aged 7-13 and three were adults. The incidence for all ages was 354.8 per 100000 inhabitants. Due to local resistance to the investigation of the outbreak we were unable to identify the source of the outbreak. marginal and average costs were identified during the outbreak using a proforma and include costs of the investigation, The mean costs per case were $7899 (average) and $1793 (marginal). The main cost generators were costs of care if average costs only are considered (81% of total costs) or loss of productivity if only marginal costs are calculated (60% of total marginal costs). Small epidemics such as the one described appear to use a considerable amount of health care and personal resources. However, when marginal and opportunity considerations are applied (value of opportunities foregone for alternative use of resources), such costs decrease. This is especially valid for all treatment costs, as the majority of hospital running costs are fixed. The small number of cases and the high hospitalization rate (100%) make the le epidemic of uncertain extrapolation.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/S0163-4453(96)92948-5

Type

Journal article

Journal

Journal of Infection

Publication Date

01/01/1996

Volume

33

Pages

87 - 90