Intensity of viral hepatitis A, B and C epidemic processes dynamics in the Khabarovsk krai (2013-2022 years)

Up to date epidemic situation is characterized by decrease of acute and chronic viral hepatitis B and C incidence as well as acute viral hepatitis A incidence in the Russian Federation. However, mortality due to blood-borne viral hepatitis stays high. This determines social significance of these diseases. Objective – to evaluate acute and chronic viral hepatitis B and C and acute viral hepatitis A incidence dynamics in the Khabarovsk krai and its constituent entities during years 2013-2022. In order to conduct a retrospective epidemiological analysis of viral hepatitis A, B and C incidence, data of statistical form №2 “Information on infectious and parasitic diseases” during years 2013-2022 was used. A downward trend of acute and chronic forms of viral hepatitis B and C incidence was revealed in the Khabarovsk krai. Average long-term index of acute hepatitis B incidence during years 2013-2022 totaled up to 0.49 cases per 100 thousand population, acute hepatitis C long-term incidence – up to 0.57 cases per 100 thousand population in the Khabarovsk krai. Constituent entity where cases of acute hepatitis B were recorded annualy was the Khabarovsk city. Acute hepatitis C was frequently registered in the Komsomolsk-on-Amur city. Children were not involved in the epidemic process of blood-borne viral hepatitis. Average long-term index of chronic hepatitis B incidence in the Khabarovsk krai equaled 8.12 cases per 100,000 population. Single cases of chronic hepatitis B among children were recorded throughout the entire observation period, with the exception of children up to one year and 3-6 years old children. Unfavorable epidemic situation concerning chronic hepatitis B has been observed during a long period of time in the Khabarovsk city, Komsomolsk-on-Amur city, Nanai, Sovgavan and Verkhnebureinsky districts, where the average annual incidence exceeded the regional one. Average long-term index of chronic hepatitis C incidence amounted to 39.72 cases per 100,000 population in the Khabarovsk krai. High incidence rates of chronic hepatitis C have been noted in the Verkhnebureinsky and Nanai districts during several years. An unfavorable situation concerning chronic hepatitis C incidence in Komsomolsk region was registered in year 2022. Dynamics of acute hepatitis A incidence in the Khabarovsk Territory turned out to be uneven and included two periods: incidence decline during years 2013 – 2018 and incidence growth during years 2019 –2022. Incidence of acute hepatitis A among children population exceeded incidence among general population of the region. High levels of acute hepatitis A were recorded in the Khabarovsk city, Khabarovsk, Vaninsky, Komsomolsky and Nanai districts. Absence of official registration of viral hepatitis cases, especially noted during last three years of observation in certain administrative territories of the region, was most likely due to a lack of a proper level of diagnosis. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic could be an issue due to decreased referral of the population for medical care and laboratory examination. In this regard, it is advised to optimize the diagnostic subsystem of epidemiological surveillance of viral hepatitis in the Khabarovsk krai.

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