This significant day was marked to increase
awareness and understanding about viral hepatitis and the diseases that it
causes. World Health Organisation (WHO) initiated this in order to encourage
prevention of the epidemic.
The hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses can cause
acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver, leading to liver
cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis A and E are typically caused due to
ingestion of contaminated food or water; while hepatitis B, C and D usually
occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids.
As it has been so far this year the theme
continues to be: 'This is hepatitis. Know it.
. The campaign emphasizes the fact that hepatitis
remains largely unknown as a major health threat across the globe. Millions of
people are living with viral hepatitis and millions are at the risk of becoming
infected. Most people with chronic infection of hepatitis B or C are unaware
that they carry the virus. They are therefore at a higher risk of developing
severe chronic liver disease and can unknowingly transmit the virus to other
people. Every year around 240 million people are being chronically infected
with hepatitis B and around 150 million people are being chronically infected
with hepatitis C. Approximately 1 million people die each year from the causes
related to viral hepatitis, most commonly cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Evidently, the wide impact of the viral Hepatitis
has not been addressed in many countries. The reasons being:
Most people do not develop any symptoms when
they become infected and remain free of symptoms often for decades until they
develop chronic liver disease
The cost of treatment for liver cancer and
liver failure from cirrhosis is very high
The World Hepatitis Day provides an opportunity
to focus on:
Strengthening the prevention, screening and
control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases
Increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and
integration into national immunization programs
Co-ordinating a global response to hepatitis
Thus, the World Hepatitis Day campaign enables
policymakers, health workers and the public to have better awareness of
hepatitis and help tackle the silent
we are experiencing today.