‘Pakistan doing nowhere enough to curb hepatitis deaths’

KARACHI: The prevalence rate of hepatitis in Pakistan has surpassed all critical levels and it seems the country is now endemic to the disease, particularly given that the all five types – from Hepatitis A to Hepatitis E – are found in our patients.

Hepatitis B and C, which are mostly caused by a viral infection, remain the major cause of surging liver failure cases in Pakistan. Throughout the world, five billion people are infected only with Hepatitis A. Types A and E are acute viral infections, typically transmitted through food or water contaminated by faecal matter.

This information was shared by Professor Dr S M Wasim Jafri, associate dean and chairman of the Department of Professional Education, Hepatologist, at a public awareness seminar titled “Hepatitis and its Prevention”, held at the Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi on Friday.

According to Professor Jafri, also consultant gastroenterologist at the Aga Khan University Hospital, symptoms of the liver problem can include jaundice abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever.

“The hepatitis E is common in Pakistan, China and other parts of the world,” he mentioned.

Talking about the global burden of the disease, he further said that as many as five billion people were infected only with hepatitis A, four billion infected with HBV, 200 million with HCV, 17 million with HDV and two billion with HEV.

He added that hepatitis B and C were life-threatening diseases but they could be cured if treated timely.

Professor Jafri also mentioned that jaundice was mainly caused by hepatitis A and E viruses, which was one of the outcomes of inflammation of the liver. He said there was no vaccine available for HCV, but vaccine for HBV was available in the market, and used to prevent HBV.    

“Hepatitis can be caused by drugs, alcohol or any other toxins, by infection with bacteria, viruses or parasites, and a host of other causes, including storage disorders like Wilson’s disease and hemochromatosis. However, viruses and alcohol are the most common cause of the illness.”

 He further mentioned that hepatitis B and C were transmitted through exposure to infective blood.

“The HBV can be transmitted from infected mothers to infants at the time of birth. Transmission may also occur through transfusions of HBV and HCV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. “Both the viruses also pose a risk to healthcare workers who sustain accidental needle stick injuries while caring for infected-hepatitis patients. Sexual transmission is one of the other causes.” The PCMD-KU and the Virtual Education Project Pakistan jointly organised the seminar.