Abstract
Viral hepatitis negatively affects the health of millions, with the worst health outcomes associated with the hepatitis D virus (HDV). Fortunately, HDV is rare and requires prior infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) before it can establish infection and transmit. Here, we develop a mathematical model of HBV and HDV transmission in Sub-Saharan Africa to investigate the effects of hepatitis B vaccination on both HBV and HDV. Our findings illustrate a hepatitis B vaccination rate above 0.006 year-1 reduces hepatitis D by over 90%, and a vaccination rate above 0.0221 year-1 reduces hepatitis B by over 90%, respectively. These results suggest a modest scale-up of current hepatitis B vaccination rates is required to achieve the 90% reduction targets set by health authorities. Thus, with sufficient investments to scale up global hepatitis vaccination, the health burden of HBV and HDV can dramatically be reduced, making their potential elimination feasible endeavors.
Recommended Citation
Greenhalgh, Scott and Klug, Andrew
(2022)
"Hepatitis B and D: A Forecast on Actions Needed to Reduce Incidence and Achieve Elimination,"
Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics: Vol. 8, 61–71.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30707/SPORA8.1.1652717156.650087
Available at:
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/spora/vol8/iss1/8
Included in
Ordinary Differential Equations and Applied Dynamics Commons, Population Biology Commons, Virus Diseases Commons
