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World Hepatitis Day

About World Hepatitis Day

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When is World Hepatitis Day

Officially endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Day for Hepatitis is commemorated every year on July 28 to enhance awareness of viral hepatitis.
What is Hepatitis?
 
Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver that causes a range of health problems, including liver cancer. There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D and E. Together, hepatitis B and C are understood to be the most common death-causing ones.
 
Why is July 28 observed as World Hepatitis Day?
 
The date of July 28 was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for it.
 
How deadly are Hepatitis B and C?
 
Globally, 300 million people are living with viral hepatitis B and C. Every year, over 900,000 deaths are caused by hepatitis B virus infection. Even amid the Covid-19 pandemic, viral hepatitis continues to claim thousands of lives globally every day.
 
WHO is calling on all countries to work together to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Low coverage of testing and treatment is the most important gap that is to be addressed in order to achieve the global elimination goals by 2030.
 
Key steps to eliminate viral hepatitis
 
Preventing infection among newborns with vaccination, stopping transmission from mother to child by testing pregnant women for hepatitis B, making timely testing and treatment services accessible to everyone are some of the key steps that can help in the elimination goals.
 
In this context, the Hepatitis Day gives an opportunity to step up national and international efforts on hepatitis, encourage actions and engagement by individuals, partners and the public and highlight the need for a greater global response.
 
The theme of the World Hepatitis Day 2020 is Hepatitis-free future, with a strong focus on preventing hepatitis B among mothers and newborns. WHO will publish new recommendations on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

Latest Updates on World Hepatitis Day

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Updated On: 26 Jul 2024 | 6:31 PM IST

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