Hepatitis could claim 5 mn lives in Southeast Asia: WHO

In a startling revelation World Health Organisation (WHO) Tuesday said that more than five million people could be victim of viral hepatitis in Southeast Asia region over the next decade.

This disease of the liver with symptoms like inflammation affects 100 million with chronic hepatitis B infection in the region; this declaration is made ahead of World Hepatitis Day July 28.

"WHO estimates that more than five million people in the Southeast Asia region will die from the consequences of viral hepatitis in the next 10 years. There are an estimated 30 million people with chronic hepatitis C infection in the region," a WHO statement says.

Besides focusing on increasing awareness about the disease, the UN agency is also aiming at increasing surveillance and resources.

"Viral hepatitis must be given greater priority in terms of both resources and effort. Good surveillance is essential," Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO's regional director for Southeast Asia has been quoted as saying.

"Infant immunisation coverage for hepatitis B must reach levels greater than 95 percent. It should be mandatory for all blood and blood products to be screened for hepatitis B and C," Plianbangchang said.

The main culprits of viral infections are hepatitis virus A, B, C and E. The symptoms of infection may include symptoms like nausea, dark urine, vomiting and abdominal pain.

"About 65 percent of those with hepatitis B and 75 percent of those with hepatitis C do not know they are infected. An effective vaccine has been available to prevent hepatitis B since 1982," the WHO statement says.

The UN health agency is formulating a strategy to prevent and control viral hepatitis in Southeast Asia.

WHO is bringing together health experts from 11 countries to help finalize the strategy addressing areas of policy, planning and resource mobilisation, surveillance, prevention and control, education, medical care and treatment and research.

"The quality of hepatitis testing in public and private laboratories needs to be monitored. We need widespread public awareness campaigns, targeted at health and social workers as well as the general public, to increase awareness about the risk of viral hepatitis," Plianbangchang has been quoted as saying.

--with inputs from IANS