Background
WHO World Hepatitis Day is marked to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes. It provides an opportunity to focus on specific actions such as:
- strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases;
- increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration into national immunization programmes; and
- coordinating a global response to hepatitis.
Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E can cause acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. These viruses constitute a major global health risk with around 240 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis B and around 150 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis C.
Latest news and press releases
- Prevent Hepatitis: Act Now
24 July 2015 - Viet Nam captures global momentum on viral hepatitis
25 July 2014 - This is hepatitis. Know it. Confront it – World Hepatitis Day
24 July 2013 - It’s closer than you think – second world hepatitis day
25 July 2012