World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on 28 July to draw global attention to viral hepatitis, one of the leading causes of liver disease and liver cancer worldwide. The date marks the birthday of Nobel Prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and helped develop the first hepatitis B vaccine. The day is an opportunity to inform people about the different types of hepatitis, how they spread, how to prevent them and why testing and treatment are essential.

History

Before World Hepatitis Day was officially fixed on 28 July, patient groups and liver health organizations had already started observing hepatitis awareness events on different dates. In 2008, the World Hepatitis Alliance, a global network of patient organizations, first coordinated an international day of action to raise the visibility of viral hepatitis.

Recognizing the huge health burden of hepatitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) supported these efforts and in 2010 the World Health Assembly passed a resolution calling for a World Hepatitis Day. In 2011, WHO officially designated 28 July as World Hepatitis Day, choosing the birthday of Dr Blumberg as a symbol of scientific progress against hepatitis B.

Since then, World Hepatitis Day has become one of the official global health days observed by WHO, alongside days like World Tuberculosis Day and World AIDS Day. Each year has a theme that highlights key messages, such as finding the missing millions of people who live with undiagnosed hepatitis infection, or increasing access to prevention, testing and treatment services.

Why it matters

There are five main hepatitis viruses known as A, B, C, D and E. All of them attack the liver, but they differ in how they spread, how severe the disease is, and whether they become chronic infections. Hepatitis A and E usually spread through contaminated food and water and often cause short term illness. Hepatitis B, C and D are mainly spread through blood and body fluids and can become chronic infections that slowly damage the liver over many years.

Chronic hepatitis B and C are responsible for most cases of liver cirrhosis and primary liver cancer around the world. Many people carry these infections for a long time without clear symptoms. By the time they develop jaundice, fluid in the abdomen or other signs of advanced liver disease, it may be too late to reverse the damage. That is why early testing and linkage to care are so important.

The good news is that hepatitis B can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine that is part of routine childhood immunization in many countries. Hepatitis A can also be prevented with vaccination where needed. Highly effective antiviral medicines can cure most cases of hepatitis C and can control hepatitis B infection, lowering the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Safe blood transfusion, sterile injection practices, avoiding reuse of needles and blades, and ensuring safe dialysis and surgery further reduce infection risk.

Key facts

In Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, viral hepatitis is a significant public health concern. Hepatitis B infection is common, although the introduction of hepatitis B vaccine into the national Expanded Programme on Immunization has helped protect new generations of children. Most infants now receive a series of vaccines that include protection against hepatitis B, which will gradually reduce the number of new chronic infections.

Hepatitis E is also a major problem in Bangladesh, especially in urban slums and areas where safe water and sanitation are lacking. Outbreaks are often linked to contaminated drinking water and can become more frequent during floods or after heavy rain. Pregnant women are at particularly high risk of severe disease and death from hepatitis E infection, which makes clean water and sanitation critical.

Hepatitis C is present as well, often linked to unsafe injections, reuse of needles or syringes, unsterile medical or dental procedures and sometimes unsafe blood transfusions. Awareness about hepatitis C is increasing, but many people still do not realize that curative treatment is available.

On World Hepatitis Day, health authorities, liver specialists, hospitals, NGOs and patient groups in Bangladesh organize seminars, screening camps, media programs and social media campaigns. Messages focus on taking the hepatitis B vaccine for all eligible children, checking vaccination status before marriage or pregnancy, avoiding unnecessary injections, making sure syringes and medical instruments are new or properly sterilized, and seeking medical advice if there is a history of jaundice or liver disease in the family.

For individuals and families, the key message is simple. Protect your liver by taking vaccines where available, using safe medical and dental services, avoiding sharing needles or razors, and getting tested if you are at risk. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious liver damage and save lives.