Recent research by the World Health Organization (WHO) has shown that 70 percent of Hepatitis B infections worldwide occur in Africa, with 70 percent of the cases found among children younger than five years.
The Viral Hepatitis Scorecard 2021 showed data from the African region but focused on Hepatitis B and C, both of which cause liver cirrhosis and cancer. It found that in 19 countries, more than eight percent of the population is infected with Hepatitis B, while in 18 countries, more than one percent of the population lives with Hepatitis C.
In 2020, the region accounted for 26 percent of the global burden for Hepatitis B and C and 125,000 associated deaths, The Guardian reports.
The document noted: “Around 70 percent of Hepatitis B infections worldwide occur in Africa. It can take decades after infection before an individual start manifesting symptoms.
“Thus, what is particularly worrying for the future is that the region accounts for 70 percent of the global Hepatitis B cases found among children younger than five years, with 4.5 million African children infected.
“Currently, 33 countries have a Hepatitis B prevalence of more than one percent among children younger than five years, which is a small improvement from 40 countries in 2019.”
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, said: “Hepatitis has been called the silent epidemic, but this scorecard is sounding an alarm for the region and the world to hear.
“We must do better and stop this disease from stealing away our children’s future. There is a safe and effective vaccine that offers nearly 100 percent protection against Hepatitis B, one of the deadliest strains of the virus. We must ensure that all African children are vaccinated within 24 hours of their birth and are followed up with two or more doses of the vaccine.”
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