In 2012, 1,096 cases of hepatitis A were reported (1,001 in mainland France, 95 in the overseas departments). In the overseas departments, 84% of cases were reported by Mayotte. For mainland France, the annual incidence rate of reported cases was 1.6 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The metropolitan departments with the highest incidence rates for 2012 were Sarthe (12.9 per 100,000), Cher (12.7 per 100,000), Maine-et-Loire (10.4 per 100,000), Tarn-et-Garonne (8.7 per 100,000), and Vienne (7.1 per 100,000).

The departments of Cher, Maine-et-Loire, and Vienne faced clusters of cases among populations living in temporary settlements for travelers under precarious sanitary conditions. In Sarthe, two separate clusters of cases occurred: first among the staff and customers of a restaurant, with subsequent spread into the community, and then during a major HAV foodborne illness outbreak at a birthday party (more than 20 cases). In Tarn-et-Garonne, clusters occurred among children and staff at a medical-educational institute (IME), spreading to families and the community.

Since reporting became mandatory in 2006, the monthly peak in the number of cases has consistently occurred in September due to risk exposure most often linked to travel outside mainland France to an HAV-endemic area. In 2012, the peak occurred in October and was not linked to travel to an endemic area but can be explained by clusters of cases in Sarthe and in the departments of Maine-et-Loire and Vienne.

As in previous years, the annual incidence rates in 2012 were generally higher among men (1.7/100,000) than among women (1.5/100,000) and among those under 15 years of age (3.7/100,000) than in other age groups (1.1/100,000).

The two main risk exposures in the 2 to 6 weeks preceding the onset of the disease were the presence of hepatitis A cases in the immediate environment (50%), with 78% of these cases occurring within the family, and a stay outside mainland France (36%). Among cases who had traveled outside mainland France, more than half (53%) had visited one of the Maghreb countries.

In 2012, 36% of reported cases were part of a cluster of cases investigated by the Regional Health Agencies.

Number of reported cases of acute hepatitis A by region/reporting department, France, 2012 (table)

Source: InVS, mandatory reporting of acute hepatitis A.

Number of reported cases of acute hepatitis A by month of diagnosis, France, 2012 (figure)

Source: InVS, mandatory reporting of acute hepatitis A

Incidence rate of reported cases of acute hepatitis A by metropolitan department of residence, France, 2012 (map)

Incidence rate of reported cases of acute hepatitis A by sex and age group, metropolitan France, 2012 (figure)

Source: InVS, mandatory reporting of acute hepatitis A

Number of reported cases of acute hepatitis A by month of diagnosis and by history of travel outside metropolitan France, metropolitan France, 2012 (figure)

Source: InVS, mandatory reporting of acute hepatitis A

Characteristics and risk exposures of reported cases of acute hepatitis A by age group, France, 2012 (table)

¹Percentages calculated for reported cases, ²asthenia, anorexia, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea.

Source: InVS, mandatory reporting of acute hepatitis A.