Hepatitis B in Poland in 2011.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the epidemiological situation of hepatitis B in Poland in 2011 in comparison with previous years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Evaluation of occurrence of hepatitis B in Poland, registered in 2011, based on the results of the analysis of case-based data for acute hepatitis B sent to the NIPH-NIH by the State Sanitary Inspection and on aggregate data from annual bulletin "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland".

RESULTS: A total of 1,583 hepatitis B cases, including 30 cases of co-infection with hepatitis C (HCV) was reported in 2011. Incidence was 4.11 per 100,000 population and was lower by 4% compared to the previous year. Acute cases constituted 6.6% of all hepatitis B cases, the incidence - 0.27 per 100,000 population. The highest incidence of acute hepatitis B recorded in Podlaskie (1.00 per 100,000 population) and that of chronic in Opolskie (10.83 per 100,000). Overall, hepatitis B occurred more often in males than females and those residing in urban areas. Chronic hepatitis B was most frequently detected (as in previous years) in people aged 15-19, most rarely in those aged 0-14 entirely covered by universal HBV vaccination of infants. The highest incidence of acute hepatitis B was observed among people aged 30-34 (0.64 per 100,000) and among those aged 65-74 (0.58 per 100,000). Predominant route of infection hepatitis B in Poland were medical procedures (in 55% of all acute cases). Among young people (aged 25-34) have been observed increasing share of infections acquired through sexual contact or intravenous drug use (28% of acute cases), among elderly people nonmedical routes of infection constituted only 7% and mostly it was the contact with infected household member. In 2011, eight people died because of acute hepatitis B and 40 due to chronic hepatitis B.

CONCLUSIONS: Observed steady downward trend in incidence of acute hepatitis B indicates persistent effectiveness of the universal HBV vaccination program. In view of growing share of acute cases acquired by sexual transmission or drug use it is reasonable to recommend vaccinations to unvaccinated at-risk people especially those exposed to HBV infection due to lifestyle.