title: Tackling the Hepatitis B Disease Burden in India.
abstract: Globally, approximately 240 people have been infected worldwide with hepatitis B Virus (HBV). India has approximately HBV carrier rate of 3.0% with a high prevalence rate in the tribal population. With a population of more than 1.25 billion, India has more than 37 million HBV carriers and contributes a large proportion of this HBV burden. While horizontal transmission in childhood appears to be a major route of transmission, the role of vertical transmission is probably underestimated. Blood transfusion and unsafe therapeutic injections continue to be important modes of transmission of HBV. There is a need for large field studies to better understand HBV epidemiology and identify high prevalence areas, and public health measures to prevent disease transmission and decrease the burden of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi 110010, India.
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puri
keywords: HBV, hepatitis B virus; HBV-DNA, hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid; HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; HCWs, health care workers; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; IVDU, intravenous/injecting drug user; chronic hepatitis; epidemiology; hepatitis B virus