The State Health Department recorded almost 950 cases in the first half of this year
The state of San Paolo record 974 cases of hepatitis Between January 1st and January 8th. The number represents a 90% increase compared to the same period of 2024, with 498 records represented.
The main source of infection was water or contaminated food. So sexual transmission infections appear.
Given the exhaust, the state government has launched a group of disease monitoring this week and other water transmission pathologies and food, such as typhoid fever.
THE tool It allows you to trace the number of cases in real time, the incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants, as well as data and sex of age.
Viral hepatitis
In addition to the cases of type A, according to the health department of the State of San Paolo (SES), until April this year, there were 560 notifications confirmed of hepatitis B. For the whole last year, there were 2,400. The number of cases of hepatitis C was 641 until April. Throughout last year, there were 3,100 confirmed infections.
Viral hepatitis are infections that reach the liver, often silently, without apparent symptoms. They can cause changes in light, moderate or serious and evolve into chronic frames such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. In addition to the viral cause, there are forms of hepatitis associated with the use of medicines, alcohol and drugs, autoimmune, metabolic and genetic diseases.
Importance of vaccines
SS-SP underlines the importance of vaccination, available for free from the Unified Health System (Sus) and included in the children’s calendar. Immunizers protect against type A and B.
The Veccino against hepatitis B for children offers immediate protection. The disease is serious and can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.
In addition, immunization for babies is also recommended, regardless of the conditions of the mother. This is because the transmission can take place through contact with the fluids of the blood and body, which also includes domestic environments.
This year, The coverage of vaccination with hepatitis B in children up to a month reached 94.19% in Brazil. The index represents an increase of 11.5 percentage points compared to 2022, when the rate was 82.7%.
In addition, the Ministry of Health determined the expansion of the vaccination of hepatitis to users of pre-exposure prophylaxis (prep), which is the prophylaxis of the drug used to prevent HIV.
Forms of transmission
The forms of transmission of viral hepatitis vary according to the type of disease. As shown by Estadão HereThe means of contamination are:
- Hepatitis A – Mainly transmitted by contaminated foods, drinks and water. There is a vaccine available in Sus.
- Epatitis B: Transmitted by sex without the use of condoms with infected people; transmitted from mother to child in pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding; or sharing perforation objects such as needles and nails calipers. There is a vaccine available in Sus.
- Epatitis C: Transmitted by contact with contaminated blood, often through the sharing of sharp objects. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
- Hepatitis D: It occurs only when the person already has the hepatitis B virus. The transmission occurs from contact with contaminated blood and, to a lesser extent, from body fluids. There is no specific vaccine for the disease. Immunization of hepatitis B is the main form of prevention also for hepatitis D.
- Hepatitis and: It is the rarer type in Brazil. The transmission takes place through contaminated water or food and in places with precarious hygiene. It can also occur by contact with contaminated blood and vertical transmission (from mother to child).
Other diseases
In addition to hepatitis, in the panel launched by the state government, it is also indicated that the cheering fever had a registered case and 25 suspicions this year. In 2024, there were two cases and, by 2023, the number was seven confirmed records.
Poliomielite already presented no case, but had 21 suspicious situations discarded. In turn, the cases of acute flaccid paralysis (PFA), a condition that can be caused by the disease or not, has been notified 31 times.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
