Since November 2005, acute hepatitis A has been a notifiable disease. A case is defined by the presence of anti-HAV IgM in serum.

In 2006, 1,343 cases were reported (1,324 in mainland France, 19 in the overseas departments) and 1,010 (988 in mainland France, 22 in the overseas departments) in 2007. For mainland France, the annual incidence rate of reported cases was 2.2 per 100,000 in 2006 and 1.6 per 100,000 in 2007.

Each year, the two main risk factors were the presence of hepatitis A cases among close contacts (48% and 53%, respectively) and a trip outside mainland France within 2 to 6 weeks before the onset of the disease (40% and 41%, respectively).

The main objective of hepatitis A surveillance is the detection of clusters of cases at the departmental level in order to quickly implement control measures. In 2006, 28% of reported cases were part of a cluster investigated by the Departmental Directorates of Health and Social Affairs, and 37% in 2007. During 2006, numerous clusters affected populations living in sites for travelers under very precarious sanitary conditions. The year 2007 was marked by a major hepatitis A outbreak in the Côte d’Armor region linked to the consumption of oysters. Each year, clusters of cases have occurred in schools and in facilities for children with disabilities.