Viral hepatitis B, C and D remains a problem for Moldova owing to the increased morbidity and mortality and to the high rate of disability following the chronicization of the infection. Compared with the EU member states, Moldova is considered an area with medium endemicity.

Contacted by IPN, Doctor of Medicine Vladimir Guriev, head of the Viral Hepatitis Epidemiology Lab of the National Public Health Center, said that before launching the national programs for combating viral hepatitis B, in 1997 there were recorded 25 cases of viral hepatitis per 100,000 people. Now this figure stands at 1.54 cases.

Morbidity through viral hepatitis C fell from 6.14 cases per 100,000 people in 1997 to 1.86 cases last year. Though only nine cases of viral hepatitis D were recorded in Moldova last year, compared with 2011 morbidity rose by 28.5%.

The doctor said that through the agency of the national program for combating viral hepatitis B, C and D for 2012-2016, 700 persons suffering from hepatitis benefit annually from free treatment financed by the state. Hepatitis B can be transmitted only by persons infected with this virus through blood, sexual intercourse, drug taking. Drug taking is also one of the main causes of Hepatitis C.

Vladimir Guriev added that the adults receiving treatment for hepatitis B can be 85% cured. In the case of another 15% of the infected persons who do not receive treatment, the disease becomes chronic and permanent prophylactic treatment is required.

According to the World Health Organization, about 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with the virus and about 350 million live with chronic infection. An estimated 600 000 persons die each year due to the acute or chronic consequences of hepatitis B. Another about 170 million people got infected with hepatitis C and more than 10 million with hepatitis D. World Hepatitis Day is marked on July 28.