Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.eurasiareview.com/27032012-over-20-million-infected-with-hepatitis-e-in-asia-and-africa/
Over 20 Million Infected With Hepatitis E In Asia And Africa
Written by: Eurasia Review
March 27, 2012
New research funded by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 20.1 million individuals were infected with hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 1 and 2 across 9 world regions in 2005. According to findings available in the April issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, there were 3.4 million symptomatic cases, 70,000 deaths, and 3,000 stillbirths from HEV that year in countries throughout Asia and Africa.
Unlike hepatitis virus B and C strains that lead to chronic disease states, HEV causes acute illness. Previous studies show HEV genotypes 1 and 2 specifically infect humans, and are associated with large outbreaks in developing countries where sanitation conditions are poor. There is evidence that HEV increases mortality risk among pregnant women. While a safe and effective HEV vaccine has been developed, it has not been widely implemented.
?Our study represents the first attempt to estimate the annual global impact of hepatitis E,? said lead author Dr. David Rein of the social science research organization NORC at the University of Chicago...
Over 20 Million Infected With Hepatitis E In Asia And Africa
Written by: Eurasia Review
March 27, 2012
New research funded by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 20.1 million individuals were infected with hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 1 and 2 across 9 world regions in 2005. According to findings available in the April issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, there were 3.4 million symptomatic cases, 70,000 deaths, and 3,000 stillbirths from HEV that year in countries throughout Asia and Africa.
Unlike hepatitis virus B and C strains that lead to chronic disease states, HEV causes acute illness. Previous studies show HEV genotypes 1 and 2 specifically infect humans, and are associated with large outbreaks in developing countries where sanitation conditions are poor. There is evidence that HEV increases mortality risk among pregnant women. While a safe and effective HEV vaccine has been developed, it has not been widely implemented.
?Our study represents the first attempt to estimate the annual global impact of hepatitis E,? said lead author Dr. David Rein of the social science research organization NORC at the University of Chicago...