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Epidemiology of hepatitis E in China
1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Beijing Medical University, China.
Gastroenterologia Japonica
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Hepatitis E epidemics in China, primarily waterborne or foodborne, predominantly impact young adults. Female patients experience a higher fatality rate, and immune globulin offers no protection against this disease.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis E is a significant public health concern in China, with nine epidemics documented since 1982.
- Epidemics have been both waterborne and foodborne, affecting various regions and demographics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the epidemiological characteristics of Hepatitis E epidemics in China.
- To analyze disease patterns, affected populations, and transmission routes.
- To evaluate the efficacy of human immune serum globulin for Hepatitis E prophylaxis.
Main Methods:
- Review of documented Hepatitis E epidemics in China since 1982.
- Analysis of transmission routes (waterborne vs. foodborne).
- Evaluation of a randomized double-blind controlled study on human immune serum globulin.
Main Results:
- Nine epidemics occurred in 6 provinces, with 5 waterborne and 4 foodborne.
- Young adults are the most affected demographic; males have a relative excess of cases.
- Female patients exhibit a significantly higher fatality rate; human immune serum globulin showed no prophylactic effect.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis E presents distinct epidemiological patterns in China, including seasonality and demographic predispositions.
- Understanding transmission routes and risk factors is crucial for public health interventions.
- Current prophylactic measures like immune serum globulin are ineffective for Hepatitis E.