Approximately 25% of individuals in Turkey are carriers of hepatitis, a health professional cautions.
==============================================================================
In a significant development, Turkey is making strides towards eliminating infectious diseases, according to Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu. This revelation was made during a World Hepatitis Day event held in Ankara on July 28.
Memisoglu stressed the importance of joint action with healthcare professionals in combating hepatitis, a disease that can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. He urged families to ensure their children are immunized against hepatitis, highlighting the nation's progress against infectious diseases.
Two types of hepatitis, A and E, are foodborne and do not become chronic. However, the current risks of hepatitis B and C in Turkey remain significant. Hepatitis B, a major public health issue due to its silent chronic nature, poses a significant risk, with approximately 24% of people in Turkey being carriers of the virus. Hepatitis C, for which there is no vaccine, has a notably high prevalence in the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including Turkey.
To combat these risks, prevention strategies in Turkey focus primarily on vaccination against hepatitis B, early diagnosis, and expanded treatment eligibility for hepatitis B to reduce liver disease progression. For hepatitis C, prevention relies heavily on screening, safe blood practices, and awareness campaigns.
The introduction of free hepatitis vaccines for children in 1998 has led to a dramatic drop in the number of acute hepatitis cases among children under 5 years old in Turkey. Since full coverage was achieved in 2012, the number of cases has fallen from a hundred annually in the early 2000s to fewer than five today.
Serhan Sakarya, an infectious diseases specialist, warned about the prevalence of hepatitis in Turkey. He emphasized the need for awareness, vaccination, and early diagnosis regarding hepatitis. Surgical infection risk for hepatitis B-related liver disease patients can be predicted and managed with nutritional assessments such as the Nutritional Risk Index, improving clinical outcomes.
For hepatitis C, the MENA region has the highest prevalence globally, leading to significant mortality. This emphasizes the need for regional preventive efforts, including safe injection practices, blood transfusion safety, and increased access to antiviral treatments.
The public health infrastructure in Turkey supports vaccination and healthcare access, including hepatitis B vaccination, which is recommended especially for at-risk groups and travelers. Travelers to Turkey are advised to ensure up-to-date hepatitis B vaccination and practice caution with potential exposure routes.
In summary, the risk for hepatitis B and C in Turkey remains significant, with prevention anchored on hepatitis B vaccination, early and expanded treatment approaches for hepatitis B, safe medical practices, and increased screening and treatment availability for hepatitis C to reduce liver-related complications and mortality.
- While Turkey has made significant strides in minimizing infectious diseases, such as a dramatic drop in acute hepatitis cases among children, chronic conditions like hepatitis B and C still pose a significant risk to public health and wellness, requiring ongoing measures like vaccination, early diagnosis, and expanded treatment eligibility for hepatitis B, as well as increased screening and treatment availability for hepatitis C.
- As mental health is an integral part of overall health and wellness, it is crucial for individuals and healthcare professionals to be aware of the prevalence of hepatitis and take necessary measures, such as vaccination and early diagnosis, not only to reduce liver-related complications and mortality but also to promote comprehensive medical-conditions and mental-health care in Turkey and beyond.
