World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on 28 July to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and hepatocellular cancer. This year's theme is “Hepatitis can’t wait,” conveying the urgency of efforts needed to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
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There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus - A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis A and E are mostly caused by the intake of contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur after coming in contact with infected blood and body fluids.
The date of July 28 was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr. Baruch Blumberg. He discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for it.
Also watch: Hepatitis B dropped to below 1% in 2019 among children under 5