Western Pacific struggles to cut hepatitis B rates

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Western Pacific struggles to cut hepatitis B rates

3 Aug 2011 10:15:00 +1000

Many Western Pacific countries are still struggling to reduce hepatitis B

infection rates among children, the World Health Organization says.

While most countries in the region are on track to record a 2 per cent cut in

infection rates by 2012, nine countries are not.

They are: Cambodia, Kiribati, Laos, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa,

Islands, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

Dr Dong-il Ahn, from the World Health Organization, told Pacific Beat poor

vaccination coverage was partly to blame.

" Governments have to provide free vaccination programs for all the community

members, " he said.

Dr Dong-il Ahn pointed out that island communities often face many logistical

challenges.

He also said it was important to send a clear message to community members that

the vaccine is " cheap and very lifesaving " .

According to the WTO, the Western Pacific has almost half the global cases of

hepatitis B despite having only a third of the world's population.

Hepatitis B infections can be chronic and lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

About 25 per cent of people with chronic hepatitis B infections die prematurely

due to complications.

[Guest guest]

http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201108/3284177.htm?desktop

Western Pacific struggles to cut hepatitis B rates

3 Aug 2011 10:15:00 +1000

Many Western Pacific countries are still struggling to reduce hepatitis B

infection rates among children, the World Health Organization says.

While most countries in the region are on track to record a 2 per cent cut in

infection rates by 2012, nine countries are not.

They are: Cambodia, Kiribati, Laos, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa,

Islands, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

Dr Dong-il Ahn, from the World Health Organization, told Pacific Beat poor

vaccination coverage was partly to blame.

" Governments have to provide free vaccination programs for all the community

members, " he said.

Dr Dong-il Ahn pointed out that island communities often face many logistical

challenges.

He also said it was important to send a clear message to community members that

the vaccine is " cheap and very lifesaving " .

According to the WTO, the Western Pacific has almost half the global cases of

hepatitis B despite having only a third of the world's population.

Hepatitis B infections can be chronic and lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

About 25 per cent of people with chronic hepatitis B infections die prematurely

due to complications.