Sharp Increase in Acute Viral Hepatitis Cases in Kyrgyzstan
The incidence of acute viral hepatitis in Kyrgyzstan has seen a significant increase, according to the Department of State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance. In the first 11 months of 2024, the number of cases has risen by 2.6 times compared to the same period in 2023.
The main culprit behind this rise is the uptick in cases of viral hepatitis A, with 17,902 cases registered during this period. This is a stark increase from the 6,637 cases reported in 2023. The highest number of cases were found in Batken, Jalal-Abad, and Osh regions.
Furthermore, there has been a 14.7 percent increase in newly diagnosed chronic viral hepatitis cases, with 9,823 cases recorded in 2024 compared to 8,416 cases in 2023. Again, the regions with the highest number of cases were Batken, Naryn, Osh, and Chui.
Viral hepatitides are a group of diseases caused by hepatitis viruses that result in liver inflammation. The outcome of these infections can range from complete recovery to serious conditions such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.
It is crucial for authorities to continue monitoring and addressing the rising numbers of viral hepatitis cases in Kyrgyzstan to prevent further spread and ensure timely treatment for those affected.
