THE COURSE OF EPIDEMIC PROCESS OF HEPATITIS B AND C AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

Abstract

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has become a major burden on healthcare systems worldwide and has had a negative impact on other global programs, including epidemiological surveillance, screening and elimination of hepatitis B and C viruses.
Objective. To assess the natural course of the epidemiological process of viral hepatitis B and C in the current COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Belarus.
Material and methods. The assessment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C incidence in the population of the Republic of Belarus was conducted according to the data of state statistical reporting forms. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the Statistica V.10.0 program (Statsoft, USA).
Results. The long-term dynamics of the Hepatitis B and C incidence over the period in question is characterized by a moderate upward trend for chronic HCV-infection with a mean growth rate (Gr.r.) of + 2.2%, while a stable long-term epidemic trend is typical for chronic HBV-infection (Gr.r. = + 0.6%). Since 2002, HCV has prevailed in the aetiological structure, accounting for more than 70% since 2008. In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, there was a decrease in the screening coverage rate for viral hepatitis B and C markers, as well as a vaccination coverage lag in contingents subject to hepatitis B vaccinations.
Conclusions. Over the period of 2020-2021, an ongoing decrease in the intensity of the epidemic process of parenteral viral hepatitis (Gr.r. = -5.5%) was established. Despite obvious achievements of hepatitis B vaccination, such issues as the required use of catch-up vaccination as well as an increase in the number of vaccine refusals among those being in contact with infected people, require closer attention to the organization and conduction of sanitary and anti-epidemic measures towards the elimination of viral hepatitis B and C in the future.