Chihuahua.- The high rate of hepatitis C cases in the state over the past five years is due to heightened epidemiological surveillance across health facilities to improve testing and enable patients to receive timely care. The Ministry of Health said 122 cases of hepatitis C and 22 deaths have been detected so far this year, with Ciudad Juárez being the region with the highest number of cases.
Gumaro Barrios, deputy director of epidemiology, explained that hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can cause various effects on the body. There are currently many cases of hepatitis A, B, and C. Recently, Cases of hepatitis D, E, and E were also found, with C being the highest risk.
Hepatitis C is considered a “silent” disease because affected individuals often do not show initial symptoms, which are only noticed when the liver has already been severely damaged, which may develop after infection Happened a few years later.
Infection is spread through direct contact with blood or derivatives or through needles and other contaminated objects, not through casual contact or shared utensils, in addition, the virus is able to survive for several days in dried blood Days. present in personal hygiene materials.
Notably, some of the risk factors for contracting the disease are blood transfusions or organ transplants; sharing needles or devices for pleasure; needle and sharps accidents while caring; sharing razors, razors, toothbrushes; People with the virus are more likely to contract the disease.
Among hepatitis cases registered in Chihuahua, cases of hepatitis A and B have decreased, while hepatitis C has increased in recent years. Notably, there were 4 documented cases of type A; 8 of type B; and 90 of type C.