Version: April 2024
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). It usually spreads through the ingestion of food or water contaminated by feces from an infected person. Symptoms often include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and jaundice. However, not everyone shows symptoms. Vaccination can prevent the disease and is particularly recommended for those at high risk or traveling to areas with high prevalence. Proper sanitation, hand hygiene, and safe food practices are primary preventive measures. It is self-limiting and does not lead to chronic disease.
The analysis of the reported cases of Hepatitis A in mainland China from April 2014 to April 2024 reveals a general downward trend in the number of recorded cases, albeit with occasional spikes. Starting from 1976 cases in April 2014, the numbers peaked at 2733 in December 2014. The highest reported cases in a single month throughout this ten-year span. Gradually, numbers declined, with brief increases in cases observed around the mid-year months. Towards the end of this period, reported cases stabilized at around 1000 cases per month, with recent data from March 2024 exhibiting an unusual increase to 1542 cases.
Over the ten-year span from 2014 to 2024, Hepatitis A-associated deaths remained comparatively low in mainland China, with no month recording more than 4 deaths. A general trend of decreasing fatalities was observed despite some fluctuations. The highest number of deaths, which was 4, occurred in December 2015. The data shows occasional instances of zero deaths in a month, becoming more frequent in recent years. Starting from 2020, most months recorded no fatalities, with rare exceptions of single death instances. The most recent data from March 2024 shows an unexpected increase to 2 deaths.