Prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in migrants from sub-Saharan Africa at Al Kufra in SE Libya in transit toward Europe

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Abstract
Background: Viral hepatitis has become a universally established health care challenge due to its worldwide distribution chronic persistence, complications, and high prevalence with unchecked conditions in areas like sub-Saharan Africa. A high proportion of asymptomatic infections allows serious complications in patients who are infected. These asymptomatic infected people pose a serious risk for the transmission of infection to healthy population. This study aimed to detect and examine the prevalence of both HBV and HCV carriers among 3248 newly arrived migrants from different parts of sub-Saharan Africa in Al Kufra, Libya, a remote agricultural North African city. All these migrants were required by the Libyan authorities to undergo a complete medical check-up for different purposes such as joining for new jobs, and for obtaining licenses for trade and commerce. Methodology: UAT sera from 3,248 migrants, aged 18–53 years, attending the Al Kufra city hospital from January 01 to December 31, 2019, were screened for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody by rapid tests and positive samples were further tested by ELISA method. Results: t he results showed that 761/3248 (23.4%) of the migrants were positive for HBV and 1014/3248 (31.2%) were positive for HCV. Conclusion: Migrants newly arrived from sub-Saharan African carry high rates of Hepatitis B and C infections. It is important to increase awareness about occupational health, and the risks of HBV and HCV transmission to the local population. The study results indicate the value of preemployment medical check-up and regular investigation and illustrates the importance of understanding the potential impact on migrant destination populations.

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