In Mayo-Tsanaga, hepatitis B prevalence hits 11.7%, far above the national average, even as HIV and hepatitis C near elimination. Experts urge urgent vaccination and screening to curb this silent epidemic.
While the international community is fully committed to the strategy of eliminating HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C by 2030, the realities on the ground reveal unique regional dynamics. In the Mayo-Tsanaga department, located in the Far North region of Cameroon, a recent large-scale epidemiological study conducted between August 1 and September 20, 2024, paints a picture that is both encouraging and concerning.
The investigation, which included 3,188 participants across seven health facilities representative of the local healthcare system, delivers an unequivocal conclusion. While HIV and hepatitis C show extremely low seropositivity rates, at 0.41% (13 cases) and 0.31% (10 cases), respectively, hepatitis B virus (HBV) has an alarming prevalence of 11.7%, with 373 positive cases. This figure places the department in a situation of hyperendemicity, far exceeding the national average estimated at 8%.
HIV and Hepatitis C: On the road to elimination?
The results obtained for HIV and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) confirm the effectiveness of the prevention and awareness programs deployed in recent years in northern Cameroon. With rates significantly lower than national epidemiological thresholds and previous regional estimates, these two infections appear to be on a trajectory of control, or even a transition towards elimination.
Of the 13 cases identified as HIV-positive, the majority are women (77%), particularly represented in the 25-34 age group. Regarding hepatitis C, the circulation of the virus is extremely marginal, with a perfectly balanced distribution between men and women.
One key element emerged from this campaign: all participants who tested positive for one of these infections were immediately referred to healthcare facilities, thus ensuring a 100% referral rate.
Hepatitis B: The Need for an Emergency Response
Faced with the decline of other viral infections, the hepatitis B virus stands out as a critical exception. With 373 positive cases recorded, the infection affects the entire population. The distribution shows that women represent 64% of positive cases, although statistical analyzes do not indicate a significant difference related to sex.
A notable peak was observed among people aged 55 and over, in whom seropositivity reached 27%. Researchers suggest the hypothesis of active historical transmission during past medical campaigns, coupled with vertical transmission over several generations. However, the sustained presence of the virus among younger age groups confirms that community transmission remains active.
Reorienting Public Health Policy
Faced with this situation, the study’s authors call for a readjustment of public health priorities. The fight against hepatitis B now requires widespread vaccination from birth and strengthened targeted screening, particularly among younger generations. “The high endemicity of HBV indicates continuous transmission and underscores the urgent need to prioritize vaccination as the primary preventive intervention toward elimination,” said Dr. Joseph Fokam, Permanent Secretary of the National Committee for the Fight Against Malaria.
The integration of health services and free screening remain essential levers to address the diagnosis gap and protect rural populations in the Far North against serious complications of chronic infection, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
