--- title: Transmission of Hepatitis A date: 2021-01-06T18:14:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-does-hepatitis-a-spread" section: Resource Library --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) / # Transmission of Hepatitis A ### How does Hepatitis A spread? Hepatitis A is a communicable (or contagious) disease that is acquired primarily by the fecal oral route either from person to person or through contaminated food or water. Food-related outbreaks are most commonly associated with contamination of food during preparation by an HAV-infected food handler. The food handler may not recognize they are contagious or ill because the peak time of infectivity—that is, when the most virus is present in the stool of an infected individual—occurs during the two weeks before symptoms begin. ![](https://holistic-kudu.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/about_hepatitis/image6_2021-03-03-201219.jpeg?w=1006&h=568&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1686508780&s=983a606843bc92146f5624777be0def0) ![](https://holistic-kudu.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/about_hepatitis/image7_2021-03-03-201221.jpeg?w=1049&h=782&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1686508778&s=18493f05fb5891b4f5136f2c1e3871dc)**Figure 1.** Hepatitis A outbreaks associated with shellfish, worldwide, from 1956 to 2016. ![](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/abouthepatitiscom-images/outbreaks/image1.jpeg)Fresh produce contaminated during cultivation, harvesting, processing, and distribution has also been a source of hepatitis A infections. In 1997, frozen strawberries were the source of a hepatitis A outbreak in five states and, in 2016, were the source of a hepatitis A outbreak in nine states. In 2003, fresh green onions were identified as the source of a hepatitis A outbreak traced to consumption of food at a Pennsylvania restaurant. Other produce, such as blueberries, lettuce, blackberries, and pomegranate seeds, has been associated with hepatitis A outbreaks in the U.S. as well as in other developed countries. **Figure 2.** Hepatitis A outbreaks associated with fresh, frozen, and minimally processed produce, worldwide, from 1983 to 2016. ![](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/abouthepatitiscom-images/outbreaks/image2.jpeg)HAV is relatively stable and can survive for several hours on fingertips and hands, and up to two months on dry surfaces. The virus can be inactivated by heating to 185°F (85°C) or higher for one minute, or disinfecting surfaces with a 1:100 dilution of sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) in tap water. It must be noted, however, that HAV can still be spread from cooked food if it is contaminated after cooking. Although ingestion of contaminated food is a common means of spread for hepatitis A, the virus may also be spread by household contact among families or roommates, sexual contact, or less commonly, through blood-to-blood contact between persons sharing illicit drugs. Young children are often asymptomatic or have unrecognized infections, but they can infect their parents and other adults, as well as older children, who are more likely to exhibit symptoms. [ Next: Symptoms of Hepatitis A Infection › ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-symptoms-risks) ### More information about Hepatitis A [May 20, 2023 ###### A quick look at the 2018 Hepatitis A outbreak Litigation proceeded in a Virginia state court against Tropical Smoothie and the strawberry supply chain. 134 people with Hepatitis A were reported from nine states, including: Arkansas (1), California (1) ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-quick-look-at-the-2018-hepatitis-a-outbreak) [March 26, 2023 ###### Hepatitis A outbreak linked to strawberries The CDC, state public health and regulatory officials, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating an outbreak of Hepatitis A linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from certain ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/hepatitis-a-outbreak-linked-to-strawberries) [December 11, 2022 ###### Since 2016, the US has seen 44,760 Hepatitis A cases with 27,327 hospitalizations and 426 deaths According to the CDC, when hearing about hepatitis A, many people think about contaminated food and water. However, in the United States, hepatitis A is more commonly spread from person ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/since-2016-the-us-has-seen-44760-hepatitis-a-cases-with-27327-hospitalizations-and-426-deaths) [December 11, 2022 ###### Famous Anthony’s Hepatitis A case moves towards justice The Roanoke Times reports: The victims of a hepatitis A outbreak at a Roanoke restaurant — which killed four people and sickened more than 40 — were allowed Thursday to ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/famous-anthonys-hepatitis-a-case-moves-towards-justice) [1. View all ](/news_events/outbreaks?illness=hepatitis-a&year=all) ## All Hepatitis A Resources [###### Hepatitis A Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/about-hepatitis) [###### The Incidence of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-common-is-hepatitis-a-infection) [###### Transmission of Hepatitis A ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-does-hepatitis-a-spread) [###### Symptoms of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-symptoms-risks) [###### Complications of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-complications) [###### Diagnosis of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-treatment) [###### Real Life Impacts of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts) [###### Real Life Impacts: The Story of Michael ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts-the-story-of-michael) [###### Real Life Impacts: The Story of Ben and Lynn ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts-the-story-of-ben-and-lynn) [###### Real Life Impacts: The Story of Richard Miller ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts-the-story-of-richard-miller) [###### How to Prevent Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-prevention) [###### Outbreaks of Hepatitis A ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-outbreaks) [###### Hepatitis A References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-a-references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)