Symposium #3
Sleeping Giants Waking: Viral Hepatitis and Cancers in Africa: Epidemiology, Diagnostic, and Management
No invitations necessary; open to all conference registrants
Wednesday, 7 December 2016
15:30-16:30
CTICC room location: 1.4
SYMPOSIUM OVERVIEW:
Hepatitis is increasingly recognized as a major cause of mortality and morbidity, accounting for an estimated 1.45 million deaths/year. Africa is heavily affected, especially by hepatitis B infection. In some countries, particularly in West Africa, the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection in the general population exceeds 10%. This session aims to: Provide an overview of the epidemiologic patterns and natural history of hepatitis infection with a focus on interventions to prevent and treat chronic hepatitis B and C infections. Describe the approaches for the laboratory diagnosis of hepatitis infection with a focus on the technical challenges specific to resource-limited settings Present an overview of the status of point-of-care testing and other simplified approaches to diagnose hepatitis infection, particularly for hard-to-reach populations and in resource-limited settings. Discuss the approaches to clinical management and treatment of hepatitis infection in Africa.
SYMPOSIUM CO-CONVENERS:
- Stefan Wiktor, World Health Organization, Switzerland
- Richard Njouom, Institut Pasteur Cameroon, Country
SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATIONS:
What will it take to eliminate hepatitis infection?
Stefan Wiktor, World Health Organization, Switzerland
Laboratory tools for the diagnostic and management of viral hepatitis: Update and situation in Africa
Anna Kramvis, Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Point of Care Tests for the diagnostic and management of viral hepatitis: Update and Situation in Africa
Edouard Tuaillon, Université de Montpellier, France
Care and Treatment of Hepatitis B and C Infections in Africa
Funmilayo Lesi, University of Lagos and Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria