High prevalence of HCV infection, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh | Birgit Schramm & Farah Hossain
Epicentre assessed the prevalence of active HCV infection among forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals residing in camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. This cross-sectional survey was carried out in May-June 2023, by simple random geo-sampling, in seven camps in the Cox's Bazar district. Of the 641 participants in the study, the survey revealed that almost a third of adults had been exposed to hepatitis C at some point in their lives. Of these, almost 20% had an active hepatitis C infection. By extrapolation, infection could affect around 86,000 people. Urgent action is required to expand diagnosis and treatment to prevent advanced liver disease and transmission.
