There was an outbreak of hepatitis A among a small immigrant community in Auckland during the winter of 1999. A total of 14 cases were identified, and they were all children aged 1-8 years. The outbreak ended one month after the commencement of a free vaccination programme. The likely mode of transmission was person-to-person spread. Outbreak investigation and control were complicated by a number of factors, including the absence of symptoms among young children, incorrectly notified contact details, a general practitioner advising against immunoprophylaxis, reluctance among general practitioners to administer immune globulin, and language and cultural barriers. Control of similar outbreaks of hepatitis A could be improved by enhanced use of immune globulin, comprehensive administration of hepatitis A vaccine, and more effective community engagement.

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New Zealand vaccination prevalence hepatitis A Article disease transmission infection control human ethnic difference