Hepatitis C in sub-saharan Africa: urgent need for attention.
The hepatitis C virus (HCV), which was not recognized as an infectious agent until the 1980s, is responsible for a worldwide epidemic. The World Health Organization estimates global prevalence at 2.8%, with 185 million persons infected. In contrast to hepatitis B, where successful vaccine campaigns have reduced the disease burden, much less progress has been made toward the control of HCV. Phylogenetic studies suggest that HCV originated in Africa and has been endemic in some regions for at least 500-600 years. However, little is known about the epidemiology, transmission, and clinical course of HCV in Africa. With the advent of highly effective anti-HCV agents, there exists great potential to at least curb the global epidemic. For regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, however, this will require a thorough understanding of the regional population-level epidemiology, risk factors, and transmission mechanisms. Only then can effective treatment and prevention strategies be introduced.
Departments of Public Health Sciences and Medicine , Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine , Maywood, Illinois.
Jennifer E
JE
Layden
Department of Medicine , Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology , Kumasi , Ghana.
Richard
R
Phillips
Department of Medicine , Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology , Kumasi , Ghana.
Ohene
O
Opare-Sem
Department of Medicine , University College Hospital, University of Ibadan , Nigeria.
Adegboyega
A
Akere
Department of Medicine , University College Hospital, University of Ibadan , Nigeria.
Babatunde L
BL
Salako
Department of Epidemiology , Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health , Baltimore, Maryland.
Kenrad
K
Nelson
Departments of Public Health Sciences and Medicine , Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine , Maywood, Illinois.
Lara
L
Dugas
Departments of Public Health Sciences and Medicine , Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine , Maywood, Illinois.
Amy
A
Luke
Departments of Public Health Sciences and Medicine , Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine , Maywood, Illinois.
Bamidele O
BO
Tayo
Departments of Public Health Sciences and Medicine , Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine , Maywood, Illinois.
Richard S
RS
Cooper
Africa; epidemiology; hepatitis C; transmission