EPIDEMIOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF CONFIRMED CASES OF ACUTE HEPATITIS IN BRAZIL FROM 2014 TO 2018

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus is one of the most transmissible in the world, causing  acute and chronic infections. It’s necessary to study the epidemiology of this disease in the regions of Brazil, analyzing confirmed cases and deaths. From 2014 to 2018, they confirmed 79,229 cases of hepatitis B in Brazil. Among children under 1 year old, 495 cases and 1 death. Between 1 to 4 years 77 cases and 1 death, 138 cases and 1 death from 5 to 9 years, 259 diagnoses and 2 deaths, from 10 to 14 years, 2,123 cases and 5 deaths from 15 to 19 years, 34,451 people diagnosed and 180 deaths between 20 and 39 years, 31,780 cases and 474 deaths between 40 and 59 years. For 60 and 69 years, 7,002 cases and 250 deaths, 2,327 cases and 155 deaths from 70 to 79 years and 577 cases and 85 deaths between 80 years or more. In the Northern, 13,157 cases were confirmed and 259 people died. In the northeast, there were 8,900 cases and 316 deaths. In the Southeast, 24,560 cases and 344 deaths. In the South, 25,767 diagnoses and 129 deaths. In the Midwest, 6,845 cases and 106 deaths. Analyzing the data, it was noticed the prevalence of cases and deaths in regions with a lower socioeconomic index and a larger vulnerable population, with a higher number of infected among young and unvaccinated, and higher mortality among the elderly. It’s necessary to reinforce prevention and mass vaccination policies for the entire country.