Hepatitis B rates surge in Senegal as Burkina Faso expands vaccination

Professor Bamba Kane, coordinator of Senegal's national hepatitis program, reported that about 85 % of Senegalese show markers of past hepatitis B infection, with 5.7‑10 % classified as chronic carriers. The virus is a leading cause of liver cancer in the country, prompting calls for stronger advocacy, early screening and treatment ahead of World Hepatitis Day on July 28.

In Burkina Faso, hepatitis B is highlighted as a major cause of acute and chronic liver disease. Transmission occurs through mother‑to‑child contact, unsafe injections, tattoos, piercings and sexual contact. The country administers a safe and effective vaccine at birth, followed by booster doses, achieving near‑total protection. The World Health Organization notes that roughly 1 % of people living with hepatitis B are co‑infected with HIV, underscoring the need for universal newborn vaccination and broader public‑health measures.