Surveillance of blood-spill incidents among unvaccinated healthcare workers exposed to HBV, 2005–2007.

Introduction - The Raisin-Geres national surveillance system for blood-exposure incidents (BEIs) identified situations involving a risk of occupational exposure to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) between 2005 and 2007. A study was conducted to describe the management and post-AES follow-up of these healthcare professionals in order to identify potential HBV seroconversions. Materials and Methods - Any healthcare professional reported as non-immune to HBV (anti-HBs antibodies consistently below 10 IU/L) who experienced a blood-exposure incident involving contact with a source patient carrying HBsAg was eligible. A questionnaire assessed the status of the exposed healthcare professional, the HBV status of the source patient, and the management and serological follow-up of the exposed healthcare professional. Results - Among 44,430 AEs reported through the Raisin-Geres AE surveillance system during the 2005–2007 period, 25 high-risk situations were identified and 17 were documented. Only 7 cases turned out to be HBV exposures of non-immune healthcare professionals. Six healthcare workers received an immunoglobulin injection following the OIE, with two of them also receiving an additional vaccine dose. Serological follow-up did not comply with recommendations for several workers. No HBV seroconversion was observed. Conclusion - These results are consistent with those of the national surveillance system for occupational exposures, which has not recorded any HBV seroconversion since its establishment. They support the need to optimize surveillance tools and make available a dedicated tool for tracking adult vaccinations, so that the analysis of AEs can be conducted more effectively and the follow-up recommendations for exposed healthcare professionals can be better implemented. (R.A.)

Author(s): Baudu A, Lot F, Abiteboul D, L'heriteau F, Touche S, Giard M, Jarno P, Venier AG, Bouvet E, Rabaud C, Floret N

Publishing year: 2011

Pages: 388-91

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2011, n° 35-36, p. 388-91

In relation to

Our latest news

news

2026 “Sexual Behavior” Survey (ERAS) for men who have sex with men

news

Hervé Maisonneuve has been appointed scientific integrity officer for a...

Visuel illustratif

news

Public Health France 2026 Barometer: Launch of the Survey