Hepatitis A
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Subject: Government Schemes
Context: Public health experts are urging that Hepatitis A vaccination be included in India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) due to rising outbreaks and declining natural immunity among adolescents and young adults.
About Hepatitis A:
• What it is? Hepatitis A is an acute viral infection caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), leading to inflammation of the liver. It does not cause chronic liver disease, but can result in severe hepatitis or acute liver failure, especially in adults.
• Hepatitis A is an acute viral infection caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), leading to inflammation of the liver.
• It does not cause chronic liver disease, but can result in severe hepatitis or acute liver failure, especially in adults.
• Geographical Distribution:
• Occurs worldwide, with cyclic outbreaks and both sporadic and epidemic patterns. Highly prevalent in low- and middle-income regions with poor sanitation—most children get infected early in life. Low prevalence in high-income countries, but outbreaks occur in specific risk groups (MSM, PWID, travellers, homeless communities).
• Occurs worldwide, with cyclic outbreaks and both sporadic and epidemic patterns.
• Highly prevalent in low- and middle-income regions with poor sanitation—most children get infected early in life.
• Low prevalence in high-income countries, but outbreaks occur in specific risk groups (MSM, PWID, travellers, homeless communities).
• Mode of Transmission (Vector/Route): (Hepatitis A has no vector; transmission is faeco-oral.)
• (Hepatitis A has no vector; transmission is faeco-oral.)
• Ingestion of contaminated food or water. Direct contact with an infected person, including poor hygiene, dirty hands, or oral-anal sexual contact. Household transmission common when infected individuals handle food. Waterborne outbreaks linked to sewage contamination.
• Ingestion of contaminated food or water.
• Direct contact with an infected person, including poor hygiene, dirty hands, or oral-anal sexual contact.
• Household transmission common when infected individuals handle food.
• Waterborne outbreaks linked to sewage contamination.
• Symptoms: Fever, malaise, loss of appetite, Nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, Dark urine and jaundice.
• Treatment:
• No specific antiviral treatment exists. Hospitalisation only for severe disease or acute liver failure. Most people recover fully and gain lifelong immunity.
• No specific antiviral treatment exists.
• Hospitalisation only for severe disease or acute liver failure.
• Most people recover fully and gain lifelong immunity.
About Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP):
What it is?
• India’s largest public-health vaccination programme providing free immunisation to all children and pregnant women against major vaccine-preventable diseases. It is one of the largest immunisation programmes globally.
Launched In:
• 1978 – as Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI)
• 1985 – renamed & expanded as Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)
• Nationwide coverage achieved by 1989–90
Key Components of UIP:
• Strategy & Policy: Guided by National Health Policy, National Vaccine Policy & NTAGI recommendations.
• Guided by National Health Policy, National Vaccine Policy & NTAGI recommendations.
• Cold Chain, Vaccines & Logistics: ~30,000 Cold Chain Points; ILRs, Deep Freezers, WIC/WIFs, vaccine vans. Uses eVIN for real-time stock & temperature monitoring.
• ~30,000 Cold Chain Points; ILRs, Deep Freezers, WIC/WIFs, vaccine vans.
• Uses eVIN for real-time stock & temperature monitoring.
• Injection Safety & Waste Disposal: AD syringes, hub-cutters, CPCB-compliant biomedical waste disposal.
• AEFI Surveillance System: Structured multi-level reporting since 1988. SAFEVAC portal for real-time AEFI reporting.
• Structured multi-level reporting since 1988.
• SAFEVAC portal for real-time AEFI reporting.
• Training: Standardised training for MOs, health workers, cold-chain technicians (NCCTC Pune, NCCVMRC Delhi).
• Standardised training for MOs, health workers, cold-chain technicians (NCCTC Pune, NCCVMRC Delhi).