austraLasia #2403

Prevalent virus forces MYM rethink

YANGOON: 30th April 2009 -- While the world is still pondering whether swine flu will be a pandemic and what to do about it when it arrives, if it arrives, the MYM (Myanmar) province has had to face up to another reality - the prevalence of chronic Hepatitis B infection in the country and amongst candidates for Salesian life.
    The situation has become so challenging that the province has decided to discourage known sufferers from entering the prenovitiate and novitiate stages of formation, in the light of their long-standing experience of Hep. B effects on individuals and community life. This step has been taken int he light of the stated criteria of sufficient good health to be able to live out the demands of the Salesian vocation.
    Hepatits B is a virus that effects the liver.  It is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world but a particular problem for Myanmar where it is estimated that some 10-12% of the population are affected. There are two kinds of infection, broadly speaking: acute sufferers may only suffer for a short period without lasting effects but chronic sufferers may have the disease for life, with serious side effects and a relatively high mortality rate. Clearly it is this latter, chronic infection, which is of concern for Salesians in MYM.

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Title: australasia 2403
Subject and key words: EAo Provinces MYM Hepatitis B
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2403