Debosmita Ghosh • 28 Jul 2024
World Hepatitis Day 2024: WHO Says Hepatitis B And C Affects 70.5 Million People In South-East Asia
Hepatitis B And C Affects 70.5 Million People In South-East Asia
World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28. The theme for World Hepatitis Day this year is, “It’s time for action.” World Hepatitis Day aims to raise awareness about the liver condition. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says, “With a person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness, we must accelerate action on better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to save lives and improve health outcomes.”
Hepatitis is a condition that is characterised by the inflammation of the liver. ‘Hepa’ means liver, and ‘itis’ means inflammation. It is usually caused by infections, particularly virus-related ones, drugs, alcohol, and a few metabolic conditions.
The WHO said that 70.5 million people are living with viral hepatitis B and C in the South-East Asia Region. Nearly 75% of liver cirrhosis is due to hepatitis B and C infection. Liver cancer is the fourth biggest cause of cancer deaths in the Region, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths among men. The agency also said that liver cancer deaths are set to double by 2050 to over 200,000 deaths every year.
Hepatitis B is caused through exposure to infected blood, semen and other body fluids. HBV can also be transmitted from infected mothers to infants at the time of birth or from family members to infants in early childhood. One might also get infected through transfusions of HBV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use.
On the other hand, Hepatitis C is caused through exposure to infected blood. This may happen through transfusions of HCV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use.
Ms Saima Wazed, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia said, “We have the knowledge and tools to prevent, diagnose and treat viral hepatitis, yet people with chronic hepatitis B and C are still waiting to access the services they need. We need to accelerate efforts to deliver equitable services closer to communities, at the primary health care level.”
Hepatitis B and C combined cause 3500 deaths per day and 6000 people are newly infected. In 2022, about 1.3 million people died of viral hepatitis.
Ways to prevent hepatitis
One of the best ways to prevent hepatitis B is taking the vaccination. It is usually given as two injections separated by a month or three or four injections over six months.
Other ways to reduce your risk of hepatitis B and C are:
- Don’t engage in unprotected sex unless you’re absolutely sure your partner isn’t infected with HBV.
- Use a new latex or polyurethane condom every time you have sex if you don't know the health status of your partner. It helps to reduce the risk and not eliminate the risk.
- If you use illicit drugs, get help to stop. If you can’t stop, use a sterile needle each time, never share needles.
- If you get a piercing or tattoo, make sure they use sterile needles.