Viral Hepatitis as a Public Health Concern: A Review About The Situation In Iraq From 2021-2023

Abdulkareem, Muthanna Ibrahim; AbdulRaheem, Yousif; Dhaher, Sahar; Naji, Hussein

doi:10.52573/ipmj.2025.160496

	Viral Hepatitis as a Public Health Concern: A Review About The Situation In Iraq From 2021-2023
Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal
Volume 25, Issue 2, April 2026, Pages 175-182 PDF (3.51 M)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.52573/ipmj.2025.160496
Authors
muthanna Ibrahim Abdulkareem^* ¹; Yousif AbdulRaheem²; sahar Dhaher³; Hussein Naji⁴
¹M.B.Ch.B. / F.I.C.M.S,Board
²Council for family and Community Medicine- Iraqi Board for Medical Chairman of the scientific Specializations
³B.Sc. Biology/M.Sc. Medical Microbiology/ Specialist Biologist
⁴MBCHB, MSC, CABMS (Comm. Med.)
Abstract
Background: Viral hepatitis, caused by distinct viruses (Hepatitis AVirus , Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus , Hepatitis D Virus, Hepatitis E Virus, and Hepatitis G Virus), is a major public health concern. In Iraq, many cases remain asymptomatic or underdiagnosed, making the true burden difficult to assess. Highlighting its impact is essential for informed public health action. Objectives: To determine the pattern of viral hepatitis from all Iraqi governorates-through the period of study-from the first May 2021 to the 30th of April 2023. Methods: A retrospective study of people infected with viral hepatitis through the records available in the main Community Disease Control center in Baghdad for a period from 2021 to 2023 by analyzing available surveillance data. Results: In Iraq, a total of 10,070 viral hepatitis cases were reported from 2021 to 2023, with an incidence rate of 65.0 per 1,000,000 population per year. Males accounted for 63.8% of cases, giving an overall male-to-female ratio of 1.8:1. Hepatitis A Virus constituted 49% of cases, followed by Hepatitis B Virus (34%), Hepatitis C Virus (16.9%), and Hepatitis E Virus (0.1%). Most Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Hepatitis E Virus cases occurred among individuals aged 15–44 years, while 90% of Hepatitis A Virus cases were among those aged 5–44 years. Hepatitis A Virus was mostly reported in Baghdad and central Iraq, Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus in Baghdad and northern regions, and Hepatitis E Virus in Al-Sadr City as an outbreak. A notable Hepatitis A Virus outbreak occurred in winter 2023, while most Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Hepatitis E Virus cases peaked in spring 2022. Keywords: Viral, Hepatitis, outbreak, Iraq
Keywords
Keywords: Viral; Hepatitis; outbreak; Iraq

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