NEWS – Global Hepatitis Report 2024 released by the World Health Organisation (WHO)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Prevalence: India has a significant burden of viral hepatitis, with an estimated 2.9 crore people living with Hepatitis B and 0.55 crore with Hepatitis C infections in 2022. The reported new cases for Hepatitis B and C in 2022 were substantial, with 50,000 and 1.4 lakh cases, respectively.
• Mortality: Hepatitis-related infections resulted in the deaths of 1.23 lakh people in India in 2022.
• Transmission: Both Hepatitis B and C infections are transmitted through various means, including mother-to-child transmission, unsafe blood transfusions, contact with infected blood, and needle-sharing among drug users.
• Diagnosis and Treatment: The report highlighted low rates of diagnosis and treatment coverage in India. Only 2.4% of Hepatitis B cases and 28% of Hepatitis C cases were diagnosed. Treatment coverage was even lower, at 0% for Hepatitis B and 21% for Hepatitis C.
• Barriers: The barriers to improving hepatitis outcomes in India include limited reach and utilization of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program, the need to expand access to affordable diagnostics and treatment services, and the requirement to treat all diagnosed individuals to reduce health consequences and transmission.

HEPATITIS

• Hepatitis Definition: Inflammation of the liver leading to acute and chronic infections, liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
• Mode of Transmission: Includes infectious sources like viruses (Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E), food and water contamination, sexual transmission, and non-infectious sources such as heavy alcohol use, toxins, certain medications, and medical conditions.
• Hepatitis B (HBV):
  • Transmission: Mainly transmitted from mother to child, with about 90% of cases occurring through this route.
  • Symptoms: Acute infection includes nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. Chronic infection can lead to lifelong liver disease, cirrhosis, and increased risk of liver cancer.
• Hepatitis C (HCV):
  • Transmission: Primarily through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles or other drug-injection equipment.
  • Symptoms: Yellow skin or eyes, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach ache, fever, dark urine, light-colored stool, joint pain, and exhaustion.
• Diagnosis and Treatment:
  • Diagnosis Rates: Only a small percentage of cases are diagnosed, especially for Hepatitis B.
  • Treatment Rates: A significant gap exists between diagnosed cases and those receiving treatment.
  • Prevention and Treatment: Hepatitis B is preventable through vaccination, and Hepatitis C is curable with medicines. Vaccination programs are in place, but their reach is limited, and people are not fully utilizing free diagnostics and treatment offered.
• Vaccination Programs:
  • Hepatitis B: Offered to children under the Universal Immunization Programme in India and to high-risk adults like healthcare workers.
  • Treatment Availability: Both Hepatitis B and C treatments are available under government programs, but utilization remains low.