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The State of Hepatitis B and C in the Mediterranean and Balkan Countries: Report from a Summit Conference
Author(s) -
Hatzakis A.,
Damme P.,
Alcorn K.,
Gore C.,
Benazzouz M.,
Berkane S.,
Buti M.,
Carballo M.,
Cortes Martins H.,
DeufficBurban S.,
Dominguez A.,
Donoghoe M.,
Elzouki AN.,
BenAlaya Bouafif N.,
Esmat G.,
Esteban R.,
Fabri M.,
Fenton K.,
Goldberg D.,
Goulis I.,
Hadjichristodoulou T.,
Hatzigeorgiou T.,
Hamouda O.,
Hasurdjiev S.,
Hughes S.,
Kautz A.,
Malik M.,
Manolakopoulos S.,
Matičič M.,
Papatheodoridis G.,
Peck R.,
Peterle A.,
Potamitis G.,
Prati D.,
RoudotThoraval F.,
Reic T.,
Sharara A.,
Shennak M.,
Shiha G.,
Shouval D.,
Sočan M.,
Thomas H.,
Thursz M.,
Tosti M.,
Trépo C.,
Vince A.,
Vounou E.,
Wiessing L.,
Manns M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of viral hepatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1365-2893
pISSN - 1352-0504
DOI - 10.1111/jvh.12120
Subject(s) - medicine , environmental health , hepatitis b , viral hepatitis , transmission (telecommunications) , hepatitis c , public health , harm reduction , disease burden , disease , psychological intervention , summit , virology , population , geography , pathology , electrical engineering , psychiatry , engineering , physical geography
Summary The burden of disease due to chronic viral hepatitis constitutes a global threat. In many B alkan and M editerranean countries, the disease burden due to viral hepatitis remains largely unrecognized, including in high‐risk groups and migrants, because of a lack of reliable epidemiological data, suggesting the need for better and targeted surveillance for public health gains. In many countries, the burden of chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B and C is increasing due to ageing of unvaccinated populations and migration, and a probable increase in drug injecting. Targeted vaccination strategies for hepatitis B virus ( HBV ) among risk groups and harm reduction interventions at adequate scale and coverage for injecting drug users are needed. Transmission of HBV and hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) in healthcare settings and a higher prevalence of HBV and HCV among recipients of blood and blood products in the B alkan and N orth A frican countries highlight the need to implement and monitor universal precautions in these settings and use voluntary, nonremunerated, repeat donors. Progress in drug discovery has improved outcomes of treatment for both HBV and HCV , although access is limited by the high costs of these drugs and resources available for health care. Egypt, with the highest burden of hepatitis C in the world, provides treatment through its N ational C ontrol S trategy. Addressing the burden of viral hepatitis in the B alkan and M editerranean regions will require national commitments in the form of strategic plans, financial and human resources, normative guidance and technical support from regional agencies and research.