Fatal hepatitis A virus infection in an adolescent

Acute hepatitis A infection is largely self-limiting illness, rarely resulting in fulminant course with consequent hepatic failure and death. We present a 13-year old previously healthy Omani with fatal hepatitis A virus infection. This case highlights the critical role of hepatitis A vaccination and argues for consideration of its inclusion in national vaccination programs in order to avert similar devastating consequences of yet another vaccine preventable disease.