title: Problems and strategies in the prevention of viral hepatitis in the Asian Pacific Region.
abstract: Viral hepatitis is endemic in the Asian Pacific Region, and seasonal outbreaks of these acute infections diseases occur regularly and annually. In this region, which extends from zones of temperate climate to tropical rain belt, vast distances, insufficient medical and laboratory services, and differences in the distribution of vaccines are further accentuated by local socio-economic factors. Prevention and control of these viral infections is one of the most important health issues because of their linkages with high mortality and morbidity due to their infections and to liver cancer, which is a foremost cancer in the region. Viral hepatitis A, B, delta region and Non A Non B are now present in the region. Strategies to prevent and control the spread of these diseases require the support of national authorities and the guidance of the World Health Organisation. Such strategies include public health education programmes on modes of transmission and their prevention, the use of suitable vaccines in susceptible populations, and the building up of local scientific know-how for regional collaboration and information on the dissemination of serious outbreaks.
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000193:education; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines