India Has 2nd Most Hepatitis B & C Cases: WHO Report

A WHO report highlights the seriousness of India's hepatitis challenge. With approximately 3 crore hepatitis B patients and over 50 lakh hepatitis C patients, the country has the 2nd highest burden of these liver diseases in the world.

What is Hepatitis?

1. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses  and noninfectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal.
2. The condition can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) and might progress to liver scarring (cirrhosis) or liver cancer.
3. Symptoms: Symptoms of hepatitis A, B and C may include fever, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark-coloured urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). In some cases, the virus can also cause a chronic liver infection that can later develop into cirrhosis (a scarring of the liver) or liver cancer.
4. There are 5 main strains of the hepatitis virus, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. While they all cause liver disease, they differ in important ways including modes of transmission, severity of the illness, geographical distribution and prevention methods.
5. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths.

5 Types of Hepatitis Virus
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV):	It is the most common type of viral hepatitis. Causes: It is generally seen in the areas where sanitation and sewage disposal are poor. It is usually a short-term (acute) infection. Transmission: Commonly spread through faecal-oral route (ingestion of contaminated food and water). Certain sex practices can also spread HAV. Treatment: There is no specific treatment other than using medication. Vaccines are available to prevent HAV.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV):	Transmission Through exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluids. From infected mothers to infants at the time of birth Through contaminated injections during medical procedures, & through injection drug use. Prevention: Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HBV.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)	Transmission: Through exposure to infective blood during transfusions of HCV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. Sexual transmission is also possible but is much less common. There is no vaccine for HCV.
Hepatitis D Virus (HDV)	It occurs only in those who are infected with HBV. The dual infection of HDV and HBV can result in a more serious disease and worse outcome. Prevention: Hepatitis B vaccines protect from HDV infection.
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV)	Transmission is mostly through the consumption of contaminated water or food. Prevention: Safe and effective vaccines to prevent HEV infection have been developed but are not widely available.

 

Facts Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of contact with infected body fluids. Hepatitis B and C can cause chronic hepatitis and are responsible for 96% of overall hepatitis mortality. Hepatitis A and E cause acute hepatitis. Vaccines are available to prevent hepatitis A, B and E. However, no vaccine for hepatitis C.

India has several initiatives to combat hepatitis, including:

1. National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP), which was launched in 2018 in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3.
2. The program aims to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030.

NVHCP aims to achieve the following:

1. Prevention: Raise awareness and provide free diagnosis and treatment
2. Eliminate Hepatitis C: Eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030
3. Reduce morbidity and mortality: Reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with Hepatitis B and C, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer
4. Reduce risk and mortality: Reduce the risk, morbidity, and mortality due to Hepatitis A and E

The NVHCP includes the following components:

1. Preventive component
2. Diagnosis and Treatment
3. Monitoring and Evaluation, Surveillance and Research
4. Training and Capacity Building

The program also includes operational guidelines, national laboratory guidelines, and national guidelines for diagnosis and management of viral hepatitis.

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