World Health Organization has today recognized that the Maldives have now controlled Hepatitis B.
This was confirmed by the Health Protection Agency HPA. HPA said that the WHO recognition was based on the consistently high coverage of Hepatitis B vaccination for children for many years.
HPA said that it was also that WHO's recognition came after the results of the recent Hepatitis B serosurvey which showed zero infections in school children aged 6-7 years.
The Agency noted that regular screening of pregnant women for Hepatitis B, treatment for positive pregnant women, and preventive therapy in infants born to positive mothers all contribute to the protection of children from Hepatitis.
HPA said that it recognizes and applauds the work of all healthcare professionals and management of health facilities across the nation, whose tireless efforts have led to the recognition achieved today.
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.
