Experts say Hepatitis B cases declining

Advise vaccination within 24 hours of birth if mother is Hepatitis B carrier

KARACHI:

Health professionals have said that Hepatitis B cases are reportedly declining across the country as per the data collected over the past few years.

They said there is a possibility to stop the transmission of disease if the infant is vaccinated within 24 hours of birth in case the mother is the carrier of Hepatitis B virus adding, there is no vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C.

They mentioned that consumption of contaminated water and substandard nutrition may lead to the spread of Hepatitis A and E, while Hepatitis B and C are caused by repeated use of blades and syringes.

Health professionals expressed these views at an awareness seminar held to mark World Hepatitis Day organised by the META Group and Express Media Group at a local hotel under the Pakistan Society for the Study of Liver Diseases (PSSLD) on Wednesday.

The seminar comprised three sessions. Dr Basit Siddiqui, Dr Subhita Shabir, and Dr Rajesh Bansari were the panelists at the first session, which was moderated by Dr Abeer Altaf.

Prof Saleh Chana said that the Hepatitis A virus (HAV) spreads through contaminated and substandard food or water. Professor Masood Siddique said pregnant women are 13 times more likely to suffer liver failure due to Hepatitis E and are eight times more likely to report the disease than non-pregnant women. The good news is that China is already marketing its vaccine.

Dr Farhana Kayani served as the moderator for the second session, which included a panel comprising Prof Saleh Chana, Dr Manzoor Hussain, Dr Mudassar, and Prof Amjad Salamat.

Prof Salamat said that people over the age of 18, particularly pregnant women to get Hepatitis C virus (HCV) test.

According to Dr Fakhar Qazi said HBV and HCV claimed over 820,000 lives worldwide in 2019.

Dr Amna Subhan Butt was of the view that Hepatitis awareness and screening camps should be held at various offices. Zaigham Abbas suggested promoting HBV and HCV testing and treatment at primary health care facilities. The third session hosted by Dr Ali Qadeer had Dr Karim Qamaruddin, Dr Farida Amin, and Prof Bikha Ram on the panel. Prof Saeed Hameed stated that there are 9.8 million HCV-infected persons worldwide. Dr Farida Amin stressed on preventative measures against Hepatitis, while Prof Nasir Lak pushed for widespread immunisation.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2022.