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Changing epidemiology of hepatitis A in Brazil: reassessing immunization policy.
- Source :
- Journal of Viral Hepatitis; Oct2008 Supplement 2, Vol. 15, p22-25, 4p, 1 Chart, 1 Graph
- Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis A virus (HAV) is decreasing in several Latin American countries. Brazil is a very large and heterogeneous country, showing striking regional differences. With regard to sanitary facilities, 81.7% of the districts in the south-eastern region have sewage systems, compared with only 5.8% in the northern region. Results of sero-epidemiological studies and reported hepatitis A outbreaks indicate a change in the epidemiological pattern of hepatitis A in the country. Individuals, especially those under the age of 10, are mostly unprotected from HAV infection, regardless of their socioeconomic status. During 2000–2005, approximately 14 000–21 000 cases of hepatitis A were reported annually in Brazil, a rate of 7.5–11 cases per 100 000 population. Nationwide, hepatitis A mortality rates declined progressively from 1980 to 2002. As fatal cases constitute a small, but predictable, portion of all acute hepatitis A cases, which are in turn part of the total number of HAV infections, these data suggest that there has been a decline in HAV circulation in all Brazilian regions over the last two decades. Taken together these facts point out that the epidemiological pattern of hepatitis A is changing in Brazil. Besides improvements in sanitary conditions in the poorest Brazilian regions, the introduction of hepatitis A vaccination of young children could be a strategy for controlling HAV infection in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- HEPATITIS A
EPIDEMIOLOGY
IMMUNIZATION
IMMUNOGLOBULINS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13520504
- Volume :
- 15
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Viral Hepatitis
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 34037985
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2893.2008.01024.x