Prospect of acute hepatitis E virus outbreak in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: A contingency plan

Adekunbi O., Uwishema O., Adanur I., Onyeaka H.

Annals of Medicine and Surgery, cilt.79, 2022 (ESCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 79
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104084
  • Dergi Adı: Annals of Medicine and Surgery
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19, Hepatitis E, Virology, Sub-Saharan Africa, Low-income countries, Africa
  • Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

© 2022 The AuthorsHepatitis E virus (HEV) is the primary cause of acute viral hepatitis in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It is transmitted by oral-faecal route via contaminated water or animal products, which is more pronounced in SSA, where inadequate hygiene measures, low socioeconomic situation, and frail healthcare system increase HEV susceptibility. During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), numerous initiatives concerning viral hepatitis relief in SSA are implemented. However, national programs do not support most services and are neglected when national and local attention rests on the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, hepatitis E prevention and control programs were affected in low-income countries due to economic losses. Therefore, an interdisciplinary approach should be adopted to mitigate HEV infections during COVID-19.