WHO appeals for stronger efforts vs hepatitis

The World Health Organization (WHO) has appealed to countries in the Western Pacific to strengthen efforts to eradicate hepatitis, saying the region accounts for 40 percent of hepatitis- related deaths worldwide.

According to WHO regional director for Western Pacific Shin Young-soo, “despite progress made in the region, hepatitis still remains a concern.”

“But we now have effective antivirals that can stop hepatitis B and even potentially reverse the progress of the disease. The vast majority of hepatitis C cases can now be cured in just three months. Unfortunately, treatment remains unaffordable and inaccessible for most in the region,” he noted.

WHO has called on policy makers, health workers and the public to work toward the complete elimination of hepatitis by 2030.

Viral hepatitis is a major killer worldwide, claiming an estimated 1.5 million lives each year, a toll that is greater than worldwide deaths from HIV/AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis.

WHO claimed that viral hepatitis is widely spread, affecting 400 million people worldwide – more than 10 times the number of people infected with HIV. The region bears a disproportionately high burden of hepatitis.

Home to one quarter of the world’s population, the region accounts for about 40 percent of hepatitis- related deaths worldwide – over 90 percent of these deaths from hepatitis B- or Crelated liver cancer and cirrhosis.

“Yet, hepatitis C is largely treatable, as more than 90 percent of people with hepatitis C can be cured,” WHO added.

Vaccination is the main prevention method to control hepatitis B.

Hepatitis D can be prevented through hepatitis B vaccination, since it is only transmitted to people infected with hepatitis B virus.

Recent data revealed that hepatitis B vaccination across the region has averted seven million deaths and 37 million chronic infections that would have occurred among children born between 1990 and 2014.

WHO said this signifies “a tremendous public health achievement for the region.”

The vision of eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 is attainable.

In the Western Pacific, WHO assists Member States to fight viral hepatitis through supporting implementation of the WHO Regional Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis in the Western Pacific 2016–2020.

The regional action plan provides a systematic approach to priority areas for action to reduce the impact of viral hepatitis.

“Vaccines against hepatitis A and hepatitis E are also available. In 2011, the first vaccine to prevent hepatitis E infection was licensed in China. Although not yet available globally, it will likely become available in a number of other countries in the region,” WHO added.

But there is currently no vaccine against hepatitis C virus.

WHO recommends that infants receive a dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth, followed by at least two doses to complete the vaccine series that provides long-term protection.

The hepatitis B vaccine should also be administered to high-risk groups and health workers.

The agency assured that The vaccine is safe and effective. The hepatitis B vaccine should be administered to high-risk groups and health workers.