Over 1,000 Hepatitis B cases in Sabah yearly
Published on: Friday, October 04, 2019
By: Saila Saidie
KOTA KINABALU: Over 1,000 Hepatitis B cases are reported in Sabah yearly and State Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung said it is not easy to contain the disease as most of the newly infected show no symptoms.
He said people need to get themselves tested so that early treatment can be given to prevent the disease from spreading. Parents also need to get their babies vaccinated to avoid infection.
ADVERTISEMENT
His speech was read by Health Department Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi at the state-level World Hepatitis Day celebration at the Ministry of Health Training Institute Auditorium in Bukit Padang.
The department recorded 1,168 cases in 2014; 1,004 in 2015; 1,369 in 2016; 1,332 cases in 2017 and 1,281 in 2018, according to Christina.
“Based on the data, those infected are mostly adults because they did not get vaccinated when they were little,” she said.
“The Hepatitis B vaccination programme only started in 1989 and those born before then might not have been vaccinated. Some of them born after 1989 got infected because they did not get vaccinated.
ADVERTISEMENT
JKNS also organises Hepatitis B vaccination programme for mothers in all districts including rural areas. She urged the public to undergo health screening as there could be more people living with the disease but did not realise it.
Hepatitis B is an infection caused by the hepatitis B virus found in the blood and bodily fluids of an infected person. The virus spreads when an infected person’s blood or bodily fluids enters the bloodstream of another either through an open wound, cut or scratch and, in some cases, used syringes.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We have to organise health screenings frequently as many people are unaware of the disease and did not get themselves checked. This disease is contagious and you could get infected just by sharing nail clippers, razors, a toothbrush and other personal items.
Treatment can be costly as the projected expenditure is around RM1,200 per patient.
Kota Kinabalu Health Officer Dr. Julaidah Sharip said the department has worked with District Health Offices to organise many health activities to curb the disease and the number of cases decreased by 3.8pc in 2018.
“We conduct Continuos Medical Education (CME) sessions on how to handle patients with Hepatitis. We also carry out health education programmes by handing out patient education brochures. We make sure the kids get vaccinated and health screenings on pregnant women.
She also said chronic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that lasts at least 6 months and it can result in cirrhosis and liver failure.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
