ABSTRACT
IntroductionA national study from 2006 to 2008 showed a high antibody prevalence of 3.2% against hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Romania, but more recent epidemiological data on hepatitis C prevalence are lacking.AimWe aimed to estimate the current prevalence of HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) and chronic HCV infection in the general adult population in Romania, as a crucial element in monitoring progress towards eliminating hepatitis C.MethodsWe used anonymised leftover sera from a SARS-CoV-2 survey conducted between July and October 2020 (n = 2,100), supplemented with sera collected prospectively between July 2022 and March 2023 (n = 574). These included sera collected from adults visiting laboratories for routine medical check-ups. Sera were tested for anti-HCV and HCV core antigen and classified according to anti-HCV and chronic infection status.ResultsOf the total 2,674 specimens tested, 44 were anti-HCV-positive with a weighted anti-HCV prevalence of 1.4% (95%â¯CI: 1.0-1.9), and 29 were HCV core antigen-positive with a weighted prevalence of chronic infection of 0.9% (95%â¯CI: 0.5-1.2). The prevalence of chronic infection did not differ significantly between men and women. It was higher in persons 60 years and older (2.0%; 95%â¯CI: 1.1-3.0) and in specimens from the North-East region (2.2%; 95%â¯CI: 0.8-3.7).ConclusionAlthough the overall HCV prevalence in Romania is currently low, targeted screening, prevention measures and treatment scale-up are needed especially for the population 60 years and older and in the north-eastern part of the country to achieve the goal of ending the hepatitis C epidemic.
Subject(s)
Hepacivirus , Hepatitis C Antibodies , Hepatitis C, Chronic , Humans , Romania/epidemiology , Male , Female , Hepatitis C, Chronic/epidemiology , Hepatitis C, Chronic/diagnosis , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Adult , Aged , Hepacivirus/immunology , Hepacivirus/isolation & purification , Hepatitis C Antibodies/blood , Young Adult , Adolescent , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Gonorrhoea cases increased steeply in women aged 20 to 24 years across 15 EU/EEA countries in July to December 2022 and January to June 2023 with, respectively, 73% and 89% more cases reported than expected, based on historical data from 2015 to 2019. Smaller increases among men due to heterosexual transmission were observed in nine EU/EEA countries. Interventions to raise awareness among young people about sexually transmitted infection risks are needed, emphasising the benefit of safe sexual practices and testing.