World Hepatitis Day takes place on 28 July each year and aims to highlight the global health burden from all forms of viral hepatitis and galvanise efforts to tackle the problem.
One of just four disease-specific global awareness days officially endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Hepatitis Day is an opportunity to boost the global profile of viral hepatitis. More information is available at weblink 1.
While hepatitis A causes an acute infection only, hepatitis B and C, and rarely, hepatitis E can lead to persistent infection, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and cancer. Hepatitis A and B are vaccine preventable and vaccinating high risk groups is
a key control strategy. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, and therefore, testing, early diagnosis and treatment are priority actions for the control of hepatitis C.