Most patients find out after damage is done

About 60-70 percent of the people infected with the deadly Hepatitis B and C viruses globally are not aware that they are having the disease, liver specialists told a discussion yesterday.

The ignorance results in the spread of the highly contagious germs, they added, citing the World Health Organization data.

The discussion was organised by the National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh at The Daily Star Centre in the capital on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day.

Claiming 4,000 lives each day, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is among the 10 leading causes of death globally, said Prof Muhammad Ali, the foundation's secretary general.

"According to studies, 4-7 percent of the country's [Bangladesh's] population is infected with HBV and 1-3 percent with HCV," he said.

In most cases, the sufferers find out when their livers are severely damaged, he said.

He said awareness could prevent the infected persons from spreading the viruses.

The foundation's president, Prof Harunur Rashid, said HBV vaccines should be given to the newborn within 24 hours of birth, and it was the standard rule.

But the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) currently provides the vaccine to babies aged six weeks, risking infection and serious consequences.

President of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh Prof AK Azad Khan said vaccination and regular diagnostics could contain the disease.

Noted gynaecologist Prof TA Chowdhury said screening of viral hepatitis was required for all pregnant women.