Ondo Raises Alarm Over Outbreak Of Peculiar Hepatitis Infection Which Causes Cancer

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State  Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Awolowo Ajaka has said that the state government is in the process of securing additional financing running into several billions from development partners that will be used to enhance the health services in the state.

Ajaka made this known during the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day with the theme of “It is time to act” and focuses on improving access of the populace to diagnosis and treatment which he said was apt.

This is just as the state government disclosed that it has discovered there is a peculiarity in hepatitis infection among hepatitis patients in the state.

The Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Health Matters, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, disclosed this in Akure after a sensitisation road walk to mark World Hepatitis Day.

The Commissioner described Hepatitis as a viral infection that targets the liver, causing inflammation and affecting its ability to function properly.

“There are several types of Hepatitis but the commonest ones which are of public health concerns and which are Hep A, B, C, & E.Hepatits A & E are transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food or water.

“It is often associated with poor sanitation. While Hep B & C are usually transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids, such as blood and sexual fluids through practices (similar to transmission of HIV virus), such as sexual acts, bold transfusion and sharing of contaminated needles and transmission from mother to child sharps among others”

He therefore  emphasized  on prevention which is hinged on well-established strategies like Immunisation, compulsory screening of blood and blood products. Strict guidelines on sterilisation of medical instruments and ban on reuse of needles.

He explained that “the clinical features of Hepatitis can vary widely, some individual may not even experience any clinical features.

“While others may experience mild or severe symptoms.  it can also present as acute illness which may resolve within days or weeks or progress to chronic illness.

“The common features include: Fever, Fatigue, Loss of appetite, Nausea and vomiting, Abdominal pain, Dark urine and Jaundice”

He advised pregnant women to always insist  on screening for  Hepatitis B and encouraged them to deliver in hospital where they can have access to skilled birth attendants  and sterile instruments, which he said would prevent  mother to Child transmission.

According to him, if any mother is already infected with Hep B drugs will be administered to the baby immediately after birth

He reiterated that the  Government would continue to create awareness among the public to embrace immunisation, hospital deliveries and avoid patronizing quacks.

The commissioner also informed that the government was set to commence  the screening and regulation of food vendors in the state, which he said was the first step to ridding the state of  Hepatitis A&E which are contracted through food ingestion.

On his part, the governor’s aide explained that the state government was, however, trying to know more about the peculiarity to tackle it accordingly.

“The state government has observed that there is a peculiarity in the viral hepatitis that we have in the state.

“We have seen people with low viral load in hepatitis coming up with complications.”

The special adviser further explained that ordinarily, the low viral load by the European Community for Hepatitis doesn’t need treatment.

“But in our own case, these patients with low viral load are coming with complications of hepatitis like liver cancer.

“Then, we have looked at it to know the type of hepatitis that our people are having.”