Epidemiology of viral hepatitis

• DOI: 10.1002/hep.26794
• Publication Date: 2013-10-15T16:00:21Z
• Authors: Bernard Kaić; Tatjana Vilibić‐Č...; Sanja Filipović; Tatjana Nemeth Bl...; Iva Pem-Novosel; Vesna Višekruna V...; Aleksandar Šimunović; Martina Zajec; Ivan Radić; Jasmina Pavlić; Marica Glamočanin; Ira Gjenero-Margan
• Keywords: Hepatitis B; Viral Hepatitis; Seroprevalence; Hepatitis C

Understanding the country-specific epidemiology of disease, which may vary greatly among countries, is crucial for identifying most appropriate preventive and control measures. An overview local viral hepatitis in Croatia given this paper. The overall prevalence B low (less than 2% HBsAg carriers general population). Hepatitis incidence began to decline significantly following introduction universal vaccination 1999. Information on seroprevalence derived from routine testing certain subpopulations (pregnant women, blood donors) studies mostly targeted at high-risk populations. Universal childhood against remains main measure. We recommend immunity one two months after third dose vaccine health-care workers. C have also been declining population. measures are ensuring safety products, prevention drug abuse, harm reduction programs intravenous users. A has declined dramatically since fifty years ago, when thousands cases were reported annually. In last five years, an average twenty per year. a consequence improved personal community hygiene sanitation. D not Croatia. risk will get be even smaller as proportion population vaccinated builds up. E only sporadically Croatia, persons occupationally contact with pigs travelers endemic countries. conclusion, country hepatitides A, C. occur there sporadic E. Since rare disease occurring sporadically, sanitation hygiene, causes mandatory schoolchildren 1999 resulted decrease B, pronounced adolescents young adults, further expected pool susceptible individuals decreases through vaccination. decreasing well. spite relatively favorable epidemiological situation, still significant public health burden estimated 25,000 chronically infected HBV about 40,000 HCV