WORLD HEPATITIS DAY 2019

July 28, 2019

World Hepatitis Day 2019 is being observed on July 28, 2019 with the theme “Invest in eliminating hepatitis”. The host country for World Hepatitis Day 2019 is Pakistan.

About:

What is it? Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver which can also progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Cause: Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause, but other infections and toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs) can also cause it.
Types of hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D and E.
- Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water (transmitted via oral-faecal route).
- Hepatitis B, C and D are transmitted through unsafe blood transfusions or contaminated needles/syringes (particularly among the drug users), sexual-transmission or even mother-to-child transmission.
Steps at global level: The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3.3) calls for eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030.
Steps at Indian level:
- India has also included Hepatitis B vaccination under the expanded Universal Immunization Programme.
- National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme was launched by Union Health Ministry in collaboration with the WHO on the occasion of the World Hepatitis Day, 2018 to eliminate Viral Hepatitis as a Public Health Threat by 2030 in the country.