Reports of a recent outbreak in Sindh question the relative likelihood of various forms of viral hepatitis in Pakistan. The following data are abstracted from GIDEON. One of the modules in GIDEON follows all published prevalence surveys (Ascariasis, Chlamydial infection, Trachoma, Leprosy …) and seroprevalence surveys (HIV infection, Toxoplasmosis, Rubella … etc) – for every infectious disease, in every country.

[primary references available on request]

Viral hepatitis in Pakistan:

Hepatitis A:
Prevalence
4% of acute hepatitis in pregnant women in Karachi
5.4% of acute hepatitis in Lahore.

Seroprevalence:
94% of children by age 5 (Karachi, 1994 publication)
100% of children ages 14 to 15 (Karachi, 2002 to 2004)
40.57% of persons with clinical suspicion of acute hepatitis (2003 to 2004)

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Recent reports of hepatitis B and C in Sindh underscore a general trend toward high hepatitis rates in Pakistan. The following serosurvey data regarding Hepatitis A-G are abstracted from GIDEON (primary references available on request).

Hepatitis A seroprevalence:
94% of children by age 5 (Karachi, 1994 publication)
100% of children ages 14 to 15 (Karachi, 2002 to 2004)
40.57% of persons with clinical suspicion of acute hepatitis (2003 to 2004)

(more…)