Prevalence of antibody to hepatitis a virus in a Canadian Inuit community
Minuk, G.Y.; Waggoner, J.G.; Jernigan, R.; Nicolle, L.E.; Postl, B.; Hoofnagle, J.H.
Canadian Medical Association Journal 127(9): 850-852
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-4409 PMID: 7139503 Document Number: 190631
To determine the prevalence of hepatitis A in a Canadian Inuit population, serum from 85% of the 850 inhabitants of Baker Lake, Northwest Territories, was tested by radioimmunoassay for antibody to the hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV). The overall prevalence of anti-HAV in the community was 71%. Exposure to the virus occurred early in life, such that by the age of 6 years 53% of the children had anti-HAV in their serum. The rate approached 100% by the age of 50 years. These findings document the ubiquitous nature of the hepatitis A virus in this northern Inuit settlement and suggest that immunoprophylaxis be considered for individuals taking short-term employment in such places.