Hepatitis patients down 7% in Brazil from 2008 to 2018

The number of patients reported as suffering from viral hepatitis in Brazil went down seven percent from 2008 to 2018, according to a report released today (Jul 22) by the country’s Health Ministry. In 2008, 45,410 cases were registered, compared to 42,383 ten years later.

The survey also found a nine percent decline in deaths caused by the disease in Brazil (2,362 in 2007, 2,156 in 2017).

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by a virus or the use of medication, alcohol or other drugs, as well as autoimmune, metabolic, and genetic conditions.

A silent disease

Hepatitis is an illness regarded by health authorities as silent. When symptoms do occur, they may include fatigue, fever, malaise, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, yellowish eyes and skin, dark urine, and light-colored feces.

In Brazil, most forms of viral hepatitis are caused by viruses A, B, and C. Types D and E also exist, the latter being more common in Africa and Asia.

The study shows that type C, in addition to being the most lethal one, is the most prevalent in Brazil. Altogether, 26,167 cases were observed in 2018. Hepatitis C more often assails people aged above 40, usually with no symptoms, which is partly why over 500 thousand people are estimated to live with the virus without knowing it.

The illness is transmitted through contaminated blood, unprotected sex, and by sharing cutting utensils.

Also notified were 2,149 cases of hepatitis A in Brazil. The most common ways in which infection takes place is through contaminated food and water. The treatment usually leads to a cure.

As for hepatitis B, 13,992 cases were documented. This type of the disease can be transmitted through contaminated blood, unprotected sex, as well as sharing cutting utensils and articles of personal use. Mother–infant infection is also possible.

Hepatitis D was seen in only 145 patients. Infection occurs after the patient has been infected with the B type.

Signs of hepatitis D are also silent, but the vaccine against hepatitis B also protects people from the D type.

Treatment and prevention

In the days leading up to the World Hepatitis Day (Jul 28), the Brazilian Ministry of Health has worked to raise awareness about the importance of diagnosis and treatment.

Brazilian Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta - José Cruz/Agência Brasil

“We’re ensuring prevention through vaccines and diagnosis through testing, in addition to drug treatment. People aged 40 and above are advised to seek the nearest health care station and be tested and immunized against hepatitis B, and parents are recommended to have their children vaccinated against hepatitis A. This allows us to treat even more people and drive away the shadow of hepatitis over Brazil,” Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta said in a note.

In 2018, the Health Ministry distributed 26 million hepatitis B and C tests. In 2019, with initiatives stepped up for diagnosis and treatment, this number is likely to increase.

Eradication

Brazil is seeking to meet the target of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030. To achieve this goal, the government made 100 thousand treatment kits for hepatitis C available.

This year, 25 thousand kits were delivered. Up to August, as per official figures, another 5 thousand will be distributed.

In 2019, the Health Minister acquired 42,947 Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir kits. Another 7 thousand kits have their acquisition process ongoing.

Everyone diagnosed with hepatitis C has had access to treatment, the ministry reported, regardless of liver damage, since March 2018, as expected. This is said to bring Brazil atop the list of countries fighting hepatitis C.