Page 239 - fourth year book

HEPATITIS C VIRUS

Overview of Global Epidemiology

Although the World Health Organization estimates that 2.35% of the
global population is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), data on
prevalence rates are incomplete. Estimates range from < 0.5% in very
low endemicity countries (eg, northern European countries) to

staggering rates of approximately 20% in highly endemic areas,
including urban centers and the Nile Delta in Egypt.

Egypt has the highest country wide prevalence of hepatitis C virus in the world,
with 11-14% of the population chronically infected, being 10-20 fold higher than
that in the United States.

The origin of the epidemic of HCV in Egypt has been attributed to mass
campaigns of parenteral anti-schistosomiasis treatment (PAT) in rural
areas in the 1960s-80 s. In spite of, termination of this program and the
implementation of measures designed to reduce hospital-related

infection, transmission continues.
Different types of hepatitis occurring around the world:

The five hepatitis viruses – A, B, C, D, and E – are distinct and can

spread in different ways, affect different populations, and result in

different health outcomes.

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the

hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is found in the stool and blood of people
who are infected. Hepatitis A is very contagious. It is spread when

someone unknowingly ingests the virus — even in microscopic amounts

— through close personal contact with an infected person or through
eating contaminated food or drink.

Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the
hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or

other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body

of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact;
sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or from
mother to baby at birth.

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