8 000 hepatitis cases reported in Namibia
66 people succumb to virus
The hepatis E outbreak affected 13 of the 14 regions, mainly in informal settlements and areas with poor hygiene and sanitation.
During the four-year outbreak of hepatis E in Namibia, which was declared over in February, more than 8 000 cases were reported and 66 people died.
Deputy health minister Esther Muinjangue said this at a community clean-up event and commemoration of World Hepatitis Day, held to address the root cause of hepatis E.
This year’s global theme, ‘bringing hepatitis care closer to you’, aimed to raise awareness about the need to simplify and bring care to primary health facilities, community-based venues and locations beyond hospital sites, closer to people wherever they are.
Muinjangue said hepatitis is a known inflammation of the liver.
“There are five main types of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people globally, and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths.”
She added that the hepatis E outbreak in Namibia affected 13 of the 14 regions, mainly in informal settlements and areas with poor hygiene and sanitation.
27 maternal deaths
“A cumulative total of 8 092 hepatitis E cases were reported nationally as of 30 January, of which 2 124 (26.2%) were laboratory confirmed, 4 738 (58.6%) cases were epidemiologically linked and 1 230 (15.2%) were suspected cases.”
According to her, a total of 66 deaths have been reported nationally, with a case fatality rate of 0.8%.
Among the 66 deaths, 27 were maternal deaths, representing 41% of the total and 6.2% of all the reported maternal hepatitis E virus cases.
“It is worth noting that the number of hepatitis E cases continues to decline after the declaration of the end of the outbreak. However, despite this achievement, we should not desert our public health measures as the risk for acquiring hepatitis E is still among us,” Muinjangue said.
Deputy health minister Esther Muinjangue said this at a community clean-up event and commemoration of World Hepatitis Day, held to address the root cause of hepatis E.
This year’s global theme, ‘bringing hepatitis care closer to you’, aimed to raise awareness about the need to simplify and bring care to primary health facilities, community-based venues and locations beyond hospital sites, closer to people wherever they are.
Muinjangue said hepatitis is a known inflammation of the liver.
“There are five main types of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people globally, and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths.”
She added that the hepatis E outbreak in Namibia affected 13 of the 14 regions, mainly in informal settlements and areas with poor hygiene and sanitation.
27 maternal deaths
“A cumulative total of 8 092 hepatitis E cases were reported nationally as of 30 January, of which 2 124 (26.2%) were laboratory confirmed, 4 738 (58.6%) cases were epidemiologically linked and 1 230 (15.2%) were suspected cases.”
According to her, a total of 66 deaths have been reported nationally, with a case fatality rate of 0.8%.
Among the 66 deaths, 27 were maternal deaths, representing 41% of the total and 6.2% of all the reported maternal hepatitis E virus cases.
“It is worth noting that the number of hepatitis E cases continues to decline after the declaration of the end of the outbreak. However, despite this achievement, we should not desert our public health measures as the risk for acquiring hepatitis E is still among us,” Muinjangue said.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article