Cox's Bazar [Bangladesh], In the Cox's Bazar camps that are home to nearly a million Rohingya, the World Health Organization (WHO) is trying to expand screening, testing and treatment for viral hepatitis B and C, a health risk exacerbated by living conditions. and lacking an adequate response due to reduced humanitarian aid, according to a WHO press release.
Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections can lead to serious consequences, including liver cirrhosis and cancer. The risk of transmission of these viruses during pregnancy, labor and delivery, from an infected mother to her child, poses a serious threat to the health of babies if prevention and treatment are not provided.
Since the mass influx of Rohingya in 2017, WHO and its health partners have been supporting the Government of Bangladesh in establishing services to address the urgent health needs of this population. Several studies conducted since 2019 have shown a high prevalence of hepatitis C among the Rohingya population, which ranges between 13.2 percent and 19.6 percent. The most recent study conducted by Doctors Without Borders in 2023 indicated that approximately 20 percent of adults had active hepatitis C infection.
To facilitate early detection and timely treatment of hepatitis C, on March 6, 2024, WHO, together with the Government of Bangladesh, partner agencies, international non-governmental organizations and health experts, launched a systematic hepatitis C surveillance programme. Hepatitis C linked to treatment, screening all adults with focus on pregnant women.
Between April 26 and May 26, 2024, WHO surveillance information systems screened 4,486 people with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for hepatitis B and C. Of these, 3.7 percent tested positive for hepatitis B, 37 percent tested positive for hepatitis C, and among them, 73.8 percent had active hepatitis C infection and needed treatment, 1.5 percent tested positive for both hepatitis B as well as hepatitis C. 83 percent of those tested were women, according to the statement.
WHO surveillance results highlighted for the first time substantial hepatitis C infection among pregnant women with a high risk of transmission to their children.
As part of the WHO surveillance initiative, more than 110 health centers offer hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing. People who test positive are referred to 18 designated centers for detailed investigation and collection of blood samples. Their blood samples are sent to the IEDCR field laboratory in Cox's Bazar, which is supported by WHO. Coordination of confirmatory testing and treatment is carried out through these sites, ensuring systematic data collection and patient monitoring through the WHO Early Warning, Warning and Response System (EWARS). WHO has provided 15,000 rapid diagnostic test kits for hepatitis B and hepatitis C to 110 health centres. An additional 25,000 RDT kits for hepatitis B and hepatitis C are being procured to improve detection. 9,000 confirmation kits have been purchased to ensure accurate identification of hepatitis cases.
To support treatment, WHO has provided medicines for 900 patients diagnosed with hepatitis C. More medicines are being procured to treat 3,000 people (healthcare workers and hepatitis patients).
To accelerate an effective response, WHO has also constituted a technical working group for hepatitis, involving key humanitarian actors to collectively mobilize resources for future interventions. Subject to humanitarian assistance, WHO proposes to launch, in stages, a massive campaign to detect and treat Rohingya, including all pregnant women, babies, children and adolescents.
"In the heart of Cox's Bazar, where resilience meets crisis, we stand united against the scourge of viral hepatitis. Our commitment is unwavering: testing, treatment and hope for all. Together, we build health, bridge borders and improve health. public health. results" - Dr. Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative in Bangladesh.
The proposed campaign is expected to expand from the current 18 health sites to 51, ensuring safe testing, sample collection and transportation to the IEDCR laboratory for confirmation. WHO has mobilized resources to treat 900 people infected with HCV, but additional resources are needed given new information about this high disease burden. Dr Po-Lin Chan, WHO SEARO Regional Advisor on HIV, Hepatitis and STIs, emphasized the critical need for sustained efforts to combat Hepatitis C in the Southeast Asia region, particularly among vulnerable populations such as Rohingya refugees "We urge all partners to join forces in this vital initiative to reduce the burden of hepatitis C in Rohingya camps and beyond," said Dr. Jorge Martínez, head of WHO's Cox's Bazar sub-office.
While the immediate focus is on hepatitis C testing and treatment, WHO's comprehensive program also contributes to long-term cancer prevention. Effective interventions for the prevention, testing and treatment of hepatitis B and C, including prevention of mother-to-child transmission, will help reduce new infections, disease progression and the risk of developing liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis C can be cured with a three-month course of highly effective direct-acting antiviral medications. Hepatitis B can be controlled with very effective medications. Vaccination against hepatitis B is a proven and effective intervention to prevent new infections, the WHO statement added.
Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections can lead to serious consequences, including liver cirrhosis and cancer. The risk of transmission of these viruses during pregnancy, labor and delivery, from an infected mother to her child, poses a serious threat to the health of babies if prevention and treatment are not provided.
Since the mass influx of Rohingya in 2017, WHO and its health partners have been supporting the Government of Bangladesh in establishing services to address the urgent health needs of this population. Several studies conducted since 2019 have shown a high prevalence of hepatitis C among the Rohingya population, which ranges between 13.2 percent and 19.6 percent. The most recent study conducted by Doctors Without Borders in 2023 indicated that approximately 20 percent of adults had active hepatitis C infection.
To facilitate early detection and timely treatment of hepatitis C, on March 6, 2024, WHO, together with the Government of Bangladesh, partner agencies, international non-governmental organizations and health experts, launched a systematic hepatitis C surveillance programme. Hepatitis C linked to treatment, screening all adults with focus on pregnant women.
Between April 26 and May 26, 2024, WHO surveillance information systems screened 4,486 people with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for hepatitis B and C. Of these, 3.7 percent tested positive for hepatitis B, 37 percent tested positive for hepatitis C, and among them, 73.8 percent had active hepatitis C infection and needed treatment, 1.5 percent tested positive for both hepatitis B as well as hepatitis C. 83 percent of those tested were women, according to the statement.
WHO surveillance results highlighted for the first time substantial hepatitis C infection among pregnant women with a high risk of transmission to their children.
As part of the WHO surveillance initiative, more than 110 health centers offer hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing. People who test positive are referred to 18 designated centers for detailed investigation and collection of blood samples. Their blood samples are sent to the IEDCR field laboratory in Cox's Bazar, which is supported by WHO. Coordination of confirmatory testing and treatment is carried out through these sites, ensuring systematic data collection and patient monitoring through the WHO Early Warning, Warning and Response System (EWARS). WHO has provided 15,000 rapid diagnostic test kits for hepatitis B and hepatitis C to 110 health centres. An additional 25,000 RDT kits for hepatitis B and hepatitis C are being procured to improve detection. 9,000 confirmation kits have been purchased to ensure accurate identification of hepatitis cases.
To support treatment, WHO has provided medicines for 900 patients diagnosed with hepatitis C. More medicines are being procured to treat 3,000 people (healthcare workers and hepatitis patients).
To accelerate an effective response, WHO has also constituted a technical working group for hepatitis, involving key humanitarian actors to collectively mobilize resources for future interventions. Subject to humanitarian assistance, WHO proposes to launch, in stages, a massive campaign to detect and treat Rohingya, including all pregnant women, babies, children and adolescents.
"In the heart of Cox's Bazar, where resilience meets crisis, we stand united against the scourge of viral hepatitis. Our commitment is unwavering: testing, treatment and hope for all. Together, we build health, bridge borders and improve health. public health. results" - Dr. Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative in Bangladesh.
The proposed campaign is expected to expand from the current 18 health sites to 51, ensuring safe testing, sample collection and transportation to the IEDCR laboratory for confirmation. WHO has mobilized resources to treat 900 people infected with HCV, but additional resources are needed given new information about this high disease burden. Dr Po-Lin Chan, WHO SEARO Regional Advisor on HIV, Hepatitis and STIs, emphasized the critical need for sustained efforts to combat Hepatitis C in the Southeast Asia region, particularly among vulnerable populations such as Rohingya refugees "We urge all partners to join forces in this vital initiative to reduce the burden of hepatitis C in Rohingya camps and beyond," said Dr. Jorge Martínez, head of WHO's Cox's Bazar sub-office.
While the immediate focus is on hepatitis C testing and treatment, WHO's comprehensive program also contributes to long-term cancer prevention. Effective interventions for the prevention, testing and treatment of hepatitis B and C, including prevention of mother-to-child transmission, will help reduce new infections, disease progression and the risk of developing liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis C can be cured with a three-month course of highly effective direct-acting antiviral medications. Hepatitis B can be controlled with very effective medications. Vaccination against hepatitis B is a proven and effective intervention to prevent new infections, the WHO statement added.
