World Hepatitis Day

By Our Special Correspondent

The world is currently experiencing a new outbreak of unexplained acute hepatitis infections affecting children. WHO, together with scientists and policy makers in affected countries, is working to understand the cause of this infection, which does not belong to any of the 5 known types of hepatitis viruses: A,B,C,D and E.

This new outbreak brings attention to the thousands of acute viral hepatitis infections that occur in children, teenagers and adults each year.

Most serious hepatitis infections cause mild disease and go undiagnosed. But in some cases, they lead to complications and can be fatal. In 2019 alone, 78,000 deaths occurred worldwide due to complications of acute hepatitis A to E infections.

Global efforts prioritize the elimination of hepatitis B, C and D infections. Unlike acute viral hepatitis, these 3 infections cause chronic hepatitis, which lasts for several decades and leads to 1 million deaths per year from cirrhosis and liver cancer.

These 3 types of chronic hepatitis infections account for over 95% of hepatitis deaths. Although we have guidance and tools to diagnose, treat and prevent chronic viral hepatitis, these services are often not available to communities and sometimes only in centralized/specialty hospitals.

On World Hepatitis Day 2022, WHO is highlighting the need to bring hepatitis, care closer to primary health facilities and communities so that people have better access to treatment and care, regardless of the type of hepatitis?

• Reduce new infections of hepatitis B and C by 90%;

• Reduce hepatitis related deaths from liver cirrhosis and cancer by 65%;

• Ensure that at least 90% of people with hepatitis B and C virus are diagnosed; and