Assessment of current epidemiological status of viral hepatitis in Guangdong Province, China.

Descriptive epidemiology was employed to analyze the current epidemiological status of viral hepatitis and strategies for control of viral hepatitis in Guangdong Province, China. The average incidence rate (IR) was 52.21 per 100,000 during 1991-2001 with a decrease of 37.98% from 79.10 per 100,000 in 1991 to 44.61 per 100,000 in 2001. Hepatitis B constituted 79.1% of total hepatitis cases. The Pearl River Delta Region had the highest prevalence of viral hepatitis, with the highest IR in the 20-35 age-group and the highest seasonal IR from March to May. Since 1991 HAV cases have declined gradually but HBV cases rose gradually with an increase of 2.48 times in constitutive ratio and with an increase of 53.35% in IR from 1991 to 2001. HBV vaccination in the newborn resulted in decreasing IR of the viral hepatitis and HBsAg carrier rate in infants. As to an increase of IR of the viral hepatitis in the 20-35 age group, it is suggested that HBV vaccination should be performed in adults and juveniles, especially in the social workers and the employees in public services.