Andhra Pradesh has seen a fall in seroprevalence of Hepatitis B from 2.39% in 2021 to 1.8% in 2024, and the government is focussed on reducing the rate further by raising awareness, said S. Neelima, State Nodal Officer for the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme.
World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28 to raise awareness on the liver infection caused by five types of viruses A, B, C, D and E. Speaking to The Hindu on this occasion, Dr. Neelima said that out of the five viruses, Hepatitis B is more prevalent in the State.
According to information, out of 63,81,384 people screened for Hepatitis B in the State from 2020 till date, more than 46,000 have tested positive and 6,750 of them have received treatment during this period.
In 2021, the National Programme for Surveillance of Viral Hepatitis, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, released a report on the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C among the people in the country. In the report, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were reported as having the highest prevalence of 2.39%, which was higher than the national seroprevalence of 0.95%.
“While the rate decreased to 1.8% in 2024, more cases are getting detected in the State these days as the government has increased screening tests for people,” Dr. Neelima said.
In the 2021 report, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana also reported higher seroprevalence of Hepatitis C at 0.44%, while the national rate stood at 0.32%. A little above 5,000 people have received treatment for Hepatitis C between 2020 and 2025.
Explaining how the liver infection spreads, Dr. Neelima said that Hepatitis A and E are caused through contaminated food or water, Hepatitis B and C are spread through contact with infected body fluids and through unprotected sexual contact and can also transmit from mother to child. The infection can also spread through contaminated needles. Therefore, awareness is being raised about it at saloons and tattoo studios, she said.
While there is a vaccine to prevent Hepatitis B, which is given to babies at birth, there is no vaccine for C, considered the most dangerous. However, cure is available for people with Hepatitis C, she added.
Since the viruses are asymptomatic, people can be silent carriers. “Therefore, before every surgical procedure or blood transfusion, an individual is mandatorily screened for Hepatitis B and C. Every pregnant woman is also tested for the same,” the nodal officer said.
Sex workers, drug users and those who get tattoos are generally considered to be at higher risk, she said.
She added that in addition to increasing screenings, the State government has made the tests accessible at all government hospitals free of charge. There are 31 treatment centres in the State, she said, where people can go for testing.
Published – July 28, 2025 11:28 pm IST