Investigation of Acute Viral Hepatitis C Cluster in A Hemodialysis Unit in the Central Region, Taiwan, 2018

Investigation of Acute Viral Hepatitis C Cluster in A Hemodialysis Unit in the Central Region, Taiwan, 2018

A hemodialysis unit in the central region reported 4 confirmed cases of acute viral hepatitis C (HCV) from April 25, 2018 to January 11, 2019. Twopatients had the same HCV genotype and the viruses were sent to the Taiwan Center for Disease Control for sequencing. Gene sequencingshowed 99.66%identical of C/E2and 100% identical of NS5B.After investigation, wesuggestedthat the dialysis unitstaff should enhancehand hygieneandseparate clean fromcontaminated areasof the mobile medical cart.This cluster wascaused by the staff not following the infection control guidelines, thus highlights the importance of compliance with infection control measures in the hemodialysis unit.