Overview:
World Hepatitis Day, celebrated around the world on July 28 annually, can be a condition itself, or it can develop into cirrhosis or liver cancer. The day was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Baruch Blomberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and who developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.
Viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world, but other infections and toxic substances, such as: alcohol, some medications, and autoimmune diseases, can be the cause.
Objectives:
- Awareness of viral hepatitis.
- Supporting patients with viral hepatitis.
- Facilitating the diagnosis and treatment process.
Facts:
- One person dies every 30 seconds from hepatitis-related illness. We must accelerate action to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment to save lives and improve health outcomes.
- There are five major strains of hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D and E. Together, hepatitis B and C are the most common infections, killing 1.3 million people and causing 2.2 million new infections each year.
- Screening and treatment coverage is lagging despite improved diagnostics and treatment tools and lower product prices.
- Chronic hepatitis B and C in 2022.
- Only 45% of infants received the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth in 2022.
- Chronic hepatitis B and C killed 1.3 million people in 2022.
Official date:
Globally: July 28, 2025.
Locally: Safar 3, 1447 AH.
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