Global Incidence, Prevalence High for Genital Herpes Simplex Virus Infections

THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2024 (HealthDay News) — The incidence and prevalence of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 infections are high worldwide, contributing to the burden of genital ulcer disease (GUD), according to a study published online Dec. 10 in Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Manale Harfouche, M.P.H., from Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar in Doha, and colleagues estimated genital infection with both HSV types and associated GUD globally in 2020 using a calibrated mathematical model. A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analyses of HSV prevalence data for all World Health Organization regions were conducted to provide input for the model.

The researchers found 25.6 million people aged 15 to 49 years had new HSV-2 infections and 519.5 million (13.3 percent) had existing (prevalent) HSV-2 infections globally in 2020. In addition, there were 16.8 and 376.2 million people (10.2 percent) aged 15 to 49 years with new genital HSV-1 infections and prevalent genital HSV-1 infections, respectively. The estimated number of people aged 15 to 49 years with at least one episode of HSV-attributable GUD in 2020 was 187.9 and 16.7 million for HSV-2 and HSV-1, respectively, totaling 204.6 million.

“There is a need for HSV prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines as a strategic approach to control transmission and to curb the disease and economic burdens of these infections,” the authors write.

One author disclosed ties to GlaxoSmithKline.

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