Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/07/28/viral-hepatitis-kills-more-malaria-dengue-and-hiv.html
Opinion
Viral hepatitis kills more than malaria, dengue and HIV
Samlee Plianbangchang, New Delhi | Thu, 07/28/2011 7:00 AM
Viral hepatitis kills more people than any other communicable disease in the Southeast Asia region. In the next 10 years, over 5 million people in the Region will die of this disease and its consequences.
Today, more than 130 million people in Southeast Asia alone carry the hepatitis B or C virus, although they may appear healthy. It usually strikes people at their most productive age, and the cost of its impact, both to the family and the economy, is enormous.
The hepatitis B virus is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV, and just as lethal. Hepatitis E results in 2,700 still births every year. For such a major public health threat, hepatitis has a low profile, among policy-makers and the public. Most people cannot easily distinguish between the four most common types of viruses that cause the disease ? hepatitis A, B, C and E.
Recognizing hepatitis as a threat to public health, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution to prevent and control the disease in 2010. The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to observe 28 July 2011 as the world?s first ever World Hepatitis Day. It is thus an opportune time to ask: are we doing enough to protect ourselves from this disease?...
Opinion
Viral hepatitis kills more than malaria, dengue and HIV
Samlee Plianbangchang, New Delhi | Thu, 07/28/2011 7:00 AM
Viral hepatitis kills more people than any other communicable disease in the Southeast Asia region. In the next 10 years, over 5 million people in the Region will die of this disease and its consequences.
Today, more than 130 million people in Southeast Asia alone carry the hepatitis B or C virus, although they may appear healthy. It usually strikes people at their most productive age, and the cost of its impact, both to the family and the economy, is enormous.
The hepatitis B virus is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV, and just as lethal. Hepatitis E results in 2,700 still births every year. For such a major public health threat, hepatitis has a low profile, among policy-makers and the public. Most people cannot easily distinguish between the four most common types of viruses that cause the disease ? hepatitis A, B, C and E.
Recognizing hepatitis as a threat to public health, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution to prevent and control the disease in 2010. The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to observe 28 July 2011 as the world?s first ever World Hepatitis Day. It is thus an opportune time to ask: are we doing enough to protect ourselves from this disease?...