Epidemiology of hepatitis C in Belgium : present and future
| Journal | Volume 65 - 2002 |
| Issue | Fasc.2 - Symposium |
| Author(s) | Pierre Van Damme, A. Thyssen, Frank Van Loock |
| Full article |
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| (1) Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen - Epidemiologie en Sociale Geneeskunde, Centrum voor de Evaluatie van Vaccinaties ; (2) Wetenschappelijk Instituut voor Volksgezondheid - Louis Pasteur. |
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Based on currently available epidemiological data, Belgium appears to belong to the low endemicity countries for hepatitis C, with an estimated annual incidence of 3/100,000 clinical cases ; a survey among the Flemish population showed an overall sero- prevalence of 0.87% (1993-1994). There was no statistically signif- icant difference in anti-HCV prevalence between men and women. A significant increase of the anti-HCV prevalence with increasing age was observed. In the French Community there was an overall seroprevalence of 0.6%. Developing surveillance for hepatitis C has proven to be diffi- cult, since it requires confirmation tests. Techniques detecting hepatitis C antibodies in saliva will replace the need for serum samples, making prevalence studies more accessible. (Acta gas- troenterol. belg., 2002, 65, 78-79). |
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© Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica. |