Hepatitis B

In Context

• Many countries including the US and UK reported mysterious cases of a few children being diagnosed with Hepatitis B.
  • The Netherlands also reported concurrent increasing community adenovirus circulation.

About Hepatitis B

• It is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). 
• It is a major global health problem. 
• The virus is most commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids during sex with an infected partner, unsafe injections or exposures to sharp instruments.
• Global Burden:
  • It is highest in the WHO Western Pacific Region and the WHO African Region, where 116 million and 81 million people, respectively, are chronically infected.
• Treatment 

• There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B. Therefore, care is aimed at maintaining comfort and adequate nutritional balance, including replacement of fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea.

• WHO response
  • Strategy 
    • In May 2016, the World Health Assembly adopted the first Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis, 2016-2020. 
  • World Hepatitis Day
    • WHO organises annual World Hepatitis Day campaigns (as 1 of its 9 flagship annual health campaigns) to increase awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis.

Source:IE