Hepatitis A

[Catherine]

Just a few questions regarding Hepatitis A.

How easily is to catch Hepatitis A from contaminated food?

Would cooking kill Hepatitis A (eg made in muffins)?

Are the symptoms of Hepatitis A different in someone who is taking Imuran?

Would standard Imuran liver tests show anything?

Last questions can chickens catch Hepatitis A?

 

[my little penguin]

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-a/basics/definition/con-20022163

Easy to catch
Food service workers not washing hands while prepping food
Large outbreaks in the us about 10-20 years ago so now kids are vaccinated against hepititis A with everything else

 

[my little penguin]

How is HAV transmitted?
Person-to-person transmission through the fecal-oral route (i.e., ingestion of something that has been contaminated with the feces of an infected person) is the primary means of HAV transmission in the United States. Most infections result from close personal contact with an infected household member or sex partner.
Common-source outbreaks and sporadic cases also can occur from exposure to fecally contaminated food or water. Uncooked HAV-contaminated foods have been recognized as a source of outbreaks. Cooked foods also can transmit HAV if the temperature during food preparation is inadequate to kill the virus or if food is contaminated after cooking, as occurs in outbreaks associated with infected food handlers. Waterborne outbreaks are infrequent in developed countries with well-maintained sanitation and water supplies.

From

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HAV/HAVfaq.htm

 

[my little penguin]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most important human pathogens. Its existence in food animals could present a significant threat to public health. The objective of this study was to determine if HBV is present in serum and liver of chickens. A total of 129 serum samples from broiler chickens were collected for the detection of HBV antigens and antibodies, and 193 liver samples were tested for HBV DNA sequence by PCR and for the existence of HBV antigens by immunohistochemistry. The overall prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc was 28.68%, 53.49%, 17.05%, respectively, whereas HBeAg, anti-HBe were barely detectable. Three serum samples were found to be positive for both HBsAg and HBeAg. Further analysis of these samples with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed two morphologic particles with 20 nm and 40 nm in diameter, which were similar to small spherical and Danes particles of HBV. The viral DNA sequence identified in two of the chicken livers shared 92.2% of one known HBV strain and 97.9% nucleotide sequence of another HBV strain. Our results showed the existence of HBV in chickens. This would present a significant risk to people who work with live chickens or chicken products if HBV found in chicken could be confirmed to be the same as human HBV.

Go to:

From

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3306199/

 

[Catherine]

Thanks MLP, will read your references I went get home from work.

I will throw out rest of berries and not feed them to the chickens!!!!

Cases of Hepatitis A in Australia are usually able to be linked to overseas travel. There are currently cases linked to import mixed berries.

We are also eaten uncooked mixed berries from one of two brands recalled. We have raspberries in the freezer which are not part of the recall but from the same manufacturer.

 

[DustyKat]

How easily is to catch Hepatitis A from contaminated food?

I’m not sure how easy it is to catch as such but it is deemed a highly contagious disease.

Would cooking kill Hepatitis A (eg made in muffins)?

Cooking does kill the virus provided the food reaches temperatures of 85c and above. Don’t quote me on that figure though!

Are the symptoms of Hepatitis A different in someone who is taking Imuran?

I don’t imagine the symptoms would be different on Imuran.

Would standard Imuran liver tests show anything?

It would likely show and elevation in liver enzymes if hepatitis A was present and active.

Last questions can chickens catch Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a human disease. Chickens do have their own hepatitis type but for a chicken to contract Hep A it would mean the virus has crossed species.

 

[Catherine]

Hepatitis A is a human disease. Chickens do have their own hepatitis type but for a chicken to contract Hep A it would mean the virus has crossed species.

The chickens going to love me. Lovely raspberries for breakfast.:ylol::ylol:

 

[kimmidwife]

Hope all is okay!