Hepatitis: WHO Urges Urgency to Expand Testing and Access to Treatment



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On the World Day Against Viral Hepatitis, which is remembered today (28), the World Health Organization (WHO) warns of the need to "get rid of viral hepatitis". extend testing and access to treatment of the disease. According to the most recent data from the entity, less than 20% of people had access to screening services and hepatitis-specific health services in 2016.

Figures from the WHO show that hepatitis B and C affect 325 million people. If left untreated, infections can lead to liver cancer and cirrhosis, which caused more than 1.3 million deaths in 2015. "We need to accelerate progress toward eliminating the disease." hepatitis by 2030, "he said in a statement. the director general of the organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

One of the countries most affected by hepatitis is Mongolia, where more than 10% of the 3 million people live with an infection chronic caused by the virus. In 2017, the country launched a program that, in the first year, tested more than 350,000 people. More than 70% of them were diagnosed with the disease and began receiving treatment for the infection. The goal of the local government is to test 1.8 million people with more than 15 years for the disease.

  Hepatitis

Hepatitis – Tânia Rêgo / Agência Brasil

Brazil

Saúde shows that Brazil has recorded 40.1 thousand new cases of viral hepatitis in 2017. The cases of Hepatitis A, commonly transmitted by water and contaminated food, more than doubled in men aged 20 to 39 years. In the state of São Paulo, this number has increased from 155 cases in 2016 to 1,108 in 2017. The Municipality of São Paulo has notified 786 cases of hepatitis A in 2017, of which 302 attributed to sexual transmission .

The vaccine against hepatitis A is available in the SUS and is offered to children from 15 months to 5 years of age. In the state of São Paulo, vaccination is also available for men who have sex with men.

With regard to hepatitis B, the country recorded 14,700 cases in 2016 and 13,400 in 2017. (19659002) The vaccine against hepatitis B is available in all states for treatment Hepatitis B.

The vaccine against hepatitis B is available in all states. In children, the diet is in four doses, the first being at birth. In adults who have not been vaccinated during childhood, there are three doses. In 2017, 18 million vaccines were distributed throughout the country and 31,100 patients are currently being treated for the disease.

Hepatitis C mainly affects adults over 40 years old. Since the late 1990s, 331.8 thousand people have been diagnosed with the disease in the country, with 24.4 thousand cases registered in 2017. Treatment with direct-acting antivirals, available on the public network since 2015, shows cure rates above 90%. The disease is transmitted by contaminated blood, unprotected sex and the sharing of piercing objects.

        

                  

                         Edition: Denise Griesinger

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