Abstract
There is a wide range in prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and HBV immunization programs between different regions. Hepatitis B is a vaccine preventable disease yet is still endemic in the majority of countries in Asia. Despite the decreasing global prevalence of chronic HBV infection, there is still considerable risk of HBV infection among international travelers to high endemic areas. Numbers of international travelers are expected to increase year by year; thus immunization among this cohort is a crucial preventive measure. Among international travelers to Asia, HBV immunization should be recommended for those without previous HBV vaccination who plan to travel to countries with intermediate to high prevalence of HBV, and especially for those individuals at greater risk of HBV infection; including travelers engaging in casual sex, getting a tattoo or piercing, and those having dental surgery or other medical procedures. Longer duration of travel is also associated with a greater risk of HBV infection. Travelers from low HBV prevalence countries, especially those born before implementation of universal HBV vaccination, might benefit from HBV vaccination during long-term traveling to HBV intermediate to high endemic country.
Highlights
Viral hepatitis is one of the major causes of death through communicable disease [1]
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 240 million people currently have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection [2]
This review aims to explore the need for HBV vaccination among international travelers to Asia
Summary
Viral hepatitis is one of the major causes of death through communicable disease [1]. The US Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends HBV vaccination to all unvaccinated people traveling to areas with intermediate to high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and suggests it should be considered for all international travelers, regardless of destination, depending on the traveler’s potential risk exposure. Due to the high numbers of people it is impractical to screen all international travelers and only 3.4–3.9 % of the population in low endemic countries will have serologic evidence of prior infection [30, 35] Immunization of those individuals should be considered, especially if long-term travel is planned to countries with intermediate to high prevalence of HBV (Fig. 3)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
