World Hepatitis Day: 28 July
About Hepatitis B:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a severe liver infection that can lead to chronic disease and poses a major global health problem, causing approximately 1.3 million deaths per year globally. It is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person.
Key facts about Hepatitis B:
- Transmission: HBV can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby at birth, through unprotected sex, and through contact with infected blood.
- Symptoms: Many people with HBV do not experience symptoms initially. However, chronic infection can lead to serious conditions such as liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.
- Prevention: Hepatitis B can be prevented through safe and effective vaccination. Pregnant women who are HBV positive can take antiviral treatment to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to their babies.
Mothers infected with HBV, especially those co-infected with HIV, can transmit the virus to their children. Given that 95% of chronic HBV cases stems from infections acquired before the age of five – this is a critical age group to prevent infection, through birth-dose vaccination.
At SACEMA, we are committed to addressing the challenges posed by Hepatitis B in South Africa through our latest initiative:
Integrated Modelling of Preventive Actions to Combat Transmission of Hepatitis B in Newborns and Pregnant Women (IMPACT-HB)
The IMPACT-HB project will extend an existing HIV modelling framework to:
- Assess HBV Disease Burden: Provide a more accurate picture of HBV prevalence and impact in South Africa.
- Evaluate Prevention Strategies: Determine the cost-effectiveness of approaches to prevent HBV transmission, including the cost of implementing birth dose vaccination.
- Inform Health Interventions: Engage with policymakers to implement data-driven maternal and neonatal health interventions.
Together with our partners, University of Antwerp, Antwerp University Hospital and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, we aim to bridge gaps in healthcare for vulnerable populations and enhance the integration of HBV services.
