Hepatitis B

July 28 Is World Hepatitis Day

Thursday, July 28, is World Hepatitis Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about life-threatening viral hepatitis. Over years or decades hepatitis B and C can progress to severe liver disease including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Viral hepatitis is a leading indication for liver transplants worldwide.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is endemic in several regions of the world, with an estimated 100 million carriers in Southeast Asia alone. Several nucleoside/nucleotide analogs are available to treat chronic hepatitis B, but therapy does not always produce a cure. Fortunately, effective vaccines are available, leading to dramatic decreases in incidence.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is also common worldwide and cannot yet be prevented with a vaccine. Development of direct-acting antiviral agents has ushered in a new treatment paradigm, but these drugs still must be used with pegylated interferon/ribavirin. The first of the new agents -- boceprevir and telaprevir -- were approved in the U.S. in May.

World Hepatitis Day Events

The World Health Organization (WHO) is recognizing World Hepatitis Day for the first time in 2011.

In the U.S., President Obama's administration will recognize World Hepatitis Day by hosting the first White House meeting focused on the hepatitis B and C epidemics.

The San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force will launch its first public education and outreach campaign, distributing educational materials at Muni and BART stations (Castro, 16th & Mission, Montgomery, and Embarcadero) during morning and afternoon commute hours.

Experts say a majority of people living with hepatitis B and C do not know their status. World Hepatitis Day offers and opportunity to raise awareness and encourage testing.

For more information see:

World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/hepatitis/world_hepatitis_day/en/index.html

World Hepatitis Alliance: http://www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/Home.aspx

7/26/11