Mexico: Yucatán reports increase in hepatitis C

While Mexico as a country has seen a decrease in hepatitis C cases in 2016 compared to 2015 (1.819 vs 1,955, respectively), the state of Yucatán has seen a near tripling of the viral infection this year, according to a Sipse.com report (computer translated).

This year to date, Yucatán has seen 32 cases. This contrasts with the 12 cases reported in all of 2015. While the cases are trending upwards, the state needs to implement preventive strategy; however, no such strategy exists to date.

Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus, and to date has been identified five, these are: hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.

Hepatitis C can cause both short and long-term illness. Symptoms can range from nausea, fever, joint pain, jaundice, cancer or death if left untreated. The disease is spread when the blood of an infected person enters the body of someone who is not infected. The majority of people infected with hepatitis C have no symptoms for up to 25 years.

Hepatitis is the fourth leading cause of death in Mexico.

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