Surveillance of hepatitis A
Learn about hepatitis A monitoring.
On this page
- Number of cases of hepatitis A in Canada
- Number of cases of hepatitis A around the world
- How Canada monitors hepatitis A
Number of cases of hepatitis A in Canada
Hepatitis A is an uncommonly diagnosed infection in Canada. Between 2011 and 2015, an annual average of 236 cases of hepatitis A were reported through the Notifiable Disease Surveillance System.
Number of cases of hepatitis A around the world
The World Health Organization estimates an annual total of 1.5 million cases of hepatitis A worldwide.
However, seroprevalence data suggests that 10s of millions of hepatitis A infections occur each year.
The incidence level is highly related to the prevailing level of hygiene and sanitation. The disease is most prevalent in less developed parts of the world.
The highest seroprevalance rates are found in:
- Africa
- South America
- the Middle East
- Central America
- Asia (excluding Japan)
Lower seroprevalance rates are found in:
- Japan
- North America
- Western Europe
How Canada monitors hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a nationally notifiable disease in all provinces and territories. Cases are reported to provincial or territorial departments of health.
Hepatitis A cases that meet the national case definition are reported to the federal government.