A recent survey, conducted in the country’s rural areas, shows that about 4.18 per cent people in the remote villages are infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and about 0.5 per cent others are suffering from Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The study was released on the occasion of the “World Hepatitis Day,” organised by Bangladesh Hepatology Society at a discussion at the Jatiyo Press Club on Saturday.
Discussing on the findings, the speakers emphasised that, Hepatitis has become a silent killer as a major cause of liver disease in Bangladesh.
They cited, those patients admitted in hospitals with acute Hepatitis and Jaundice, 43 per cent of them are caused by Hepatitis E virus, 22 per cent by B virus, eight per cent by A virus and three percent by C virus.
National professor and Vice Chancellor, USTC, Chittagong, professor Nurul Islam, who was the chief guest at the function, noted that Hepatitis B and C viruses are transmitted through use of unscreened blood, non sterilised syringes, shared needles used by drug addicts and unsafe sex practices.
He also urged the media personnel to play a vital role in creating mass awareness on the dangers posed by Hepatitis by preaching about safe ways of living through being hygiene conscious.
Md Nazrul Islam, Chairman, department of Hematology said, people can be saved by vaccination against Hepatitis B, but the vaccine against Hepatitis C is yet to be available.
-With The Independent input
