Serosurveillance of vaccine preventable diseases and hepatitis C in healthcare workers from Lao PDR

Project leader: Antony Black, Claude Muller
Member of staff: Phonethipsavanh Nouanthong, Keooudomphone Vilivong, Did Panyathong, Siriphone Virachith

Background
Healthcare workers (HCW) have increased risk of exposure to infectious diseases and infected HCW represent a potential source for onward transmission of pathogens to susceptible patients. It is important that these risks are minimized, both by reducing exposure and by vaccination in the case of vaccine-preventable infections.

Activities and Prospective
In this study, we aim to estimate the susceptibility of healthcare workers from central, provincial and district hospitals to 6 vaccine-preventable infections and against HCV. We have recruited over 1000 participants to the study and begun to analyse sera for the presence of antibodies against hepatitis B, hepatitis C, measles, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria. Preliminary data suggest that a high proportion of Lao HCW remain susceptible to infection with hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus and rubella. Data analysis is ongoing.

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