Prevention strategy of hepatitis B virus infection among the Ethiopian community in Israel.

Between 1980 and 1985, over 16,000 immigrants from Ethiopia, a population at high risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, arrived in Israel. The present study was designed to provide epidemiological information necessary for developing prevention strategies against HBV infection. Among the 144 subjects studied in an absorption center in Israel, only 32% had no detectable HBV markers and were therefore susceptible to infection. The prevalence rate of HBsAg was 19% compared with 42% for anti-HBs and 7.6% for anti-HBc alone. The percentage of subjects with no HBV marker decreased sharply with age, and there was similarly an age-linked increase in anti-HBs, indicating the importance of horizontal transmission in HBV infection. The distribution of HBV markers was similar in both sexes. Evidence of mild liver disease was found in only three subjects. All newborns and new arrivals less than 2 years of age in the Ethiopian community are vaccinated against HBV infection to prevent vertical and early horizontal transmission. The data obtained in our study suggest that this means of prevention of HBV infection is insufficient. We suggest that the vaccination of all children aged 2-7 without prevaccination screening, and the vaccination of children aged 8-18 found to be susceptible on anti-HBc screening, would substantially lower HBV transmission in this community.