The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare systems worldwide, causing significant delays in the diagnosis and treatment of many chronic diseases, including viral hepatitis. Now, as we settle into a post-COVID phase, there is a noticeable surge in hepatitis testing across various regions. This encouraging trend highlights renewed efforts to close the gaps created by the pandemic and the urgent need to address delayed diagnoses.
A Sharp Decline Followed by a Gradual Recovery
According to Dr Ajay Phadke, Director, Strategic Business Development at Agilus Diagnostics, “During the height of the pandemic, hepatitis testing dropped dramatically everywhere. Clinics reduced services, patients postponed routine screenings and lockdowns forced many testing programmes to halt. Resources were often redirected to fight COVID-19, leading to missed opportunities for early detection of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV).”
- For example, Canada, Bangladesh, and various European nations observed hepatitis screening drops of up to 90% between 2020 and 2021.
- Bangladesh faced a staggering 99% fall in HBV screenings.
- In Europe, tests for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA dropped by around 40%.
- Canadian provinces experienced decreases ranging from 33% to 62% during successive COVID waves.
These setbacks resulted in a substantial backlog of undiagnosed cases and delayed treatment.
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Encouraging Signs of Recovery and Increased Testing
As healthcare systems stabilized, hepatitis testing volumes rebounded, mostly exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Sierra Leone saw a more than 20% increase in testing, while France's anti-HCV testing had nearly returned to normal by late 2021, despite over 1.2 million missed screenings during the peak of the outbreak.
“In India, the delayed testing resulted in the finding of numerous cases, particularly among pregnant women and those who skipped childhood vaccines. Regions such as Nagpur and Maharashtra have seen health professionals intensify efforts, underlining the importance of regular screening and vaccination of hepatitis for adults,” shares Dr Phadke.
This resurgence shows not only efforts to catch up on missed tests but also growing public awareness around liver health. With more people returning for routine check-ups, doctors are identifying hepatitis B and C infections that had gone unnoticed before. However, this has also led to an increase in advanced-stage diagnoses; an unfortunate consequence of earlier testing gaps.
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A Concerning Trend Among Children
Dr Phadke shares another worrying development: a rise in unexplained acute hepatitis cases in children, reported in India and parts of Europe. “These cases often appear weeks after children recover from COVID-19. Some experts assume an aberrant immune response or reactivation of dormant viruses, but the actual cause is unknown. Paediatric specialists are calling for close monitoring and in-depth research to understand and manage these cases effectively,” he quotes.
The Road Ahead: Turning a Challenge into an Opportunity
The current surge in hepatitis testing is more than just a comeback; it is a crucial opportunity. By prioritising routine screening, addressing the backlog of missed diagnoses, expanding testing access and increasing public awareness about early detection, countries can prevent long-term complications. This rise in testing should not be viewed as a temporary spike but rather as a step toward strengthening healthcare systems. With continuous efforts, we can get closer to eliminating hepatitis globally, saving many lives from the disease's devastating impacts.