Hepatitis B affects 126,000 in Bandung

BANDUNG: Some 126,000 Bandung residents are suffering from the infectious disease, Hepatitis B, a health expert has claimed.

Speaking at a discussion on Sunday, Ali Djumhana said the number accounts for 5 percent of the national figure, which remains at the tolerable level of between 4 percent and 34 percent.

To anticipate the possibility of the disease becoming widespread, the government has launched a Hepatitis B awareness program, which includes providing free consultations, tests and information about the disease.

Indonesia is home to around 15 million Hepatitis B virus carriers, some 40 percent of whom are suffering from the chronic infectious disease. Chronic Hepatitis B can lead to other serious diseases such as liver cancer and cirrhosis.

Another doctor, Bandara Asih said many people have yet to be fully informed about the disease, while immediate treatment is needed to prevent the disease from causing death.(dja)