Viral hepatitis in Tasmania

Abstract

A planar graph of the island has been constructed in which nodes are weighted for total municipal population size and links represent road access between the nodes. The graph is repeated for 163 weekly periods and the notified viral hepatitis cases are shaded upon each. Even utilizing incomplete notifications, the system of spread breaks down into 3 discrete sub-systems, each centered upon a port of potential disease entry. Wide differences of municipal hepatitis incidence rates are shown, and disease diffusion through space exhibits a strong tendency to follow analogous patterns repetitively through time.

In a second, more localized study, patient movement records were collected to identify some high risks within the social environment of the Hobart metropolitan area. Lack of public awareness of disease hazards was highlighted.