World Hepatitis Day - July 28th 2019
World Hepatitis Day takes place every year on the 28th July with the aim of bringing the world together under a single theme to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis and to influence real change. The theme of World Hepatitis Day 2019 is ‘Find the Missing Millions’.
Chronic hepatitis B and C are life-threatening infectious diseases that can cause serious liver damage, cancer, and premature death. More than 300 million people are infected with the hepatitis B or the hepatitis C virus worldwide. However, both diseases can be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic for years, or even decades, after infection. This means that without screening, some people may not be diagnosed until they have already developed considerable liver damage. Click here for more information.
With the availability of effective vaccines and treatments for hepatitis B, and a cure for hepatitis C, elimination of viral hepatitis is achievable. However, greater awareness, increased screening and better linkage to healthcare and treatment are needed.
In 2016 the world’s first global hepatitis strategy for hepatitis elimination was ratified: WHO Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis 2016-2021
In tandem with this global strategy, an action plan has been developed for the European region: Action plan for the health sector response to viral hepatitis in the WHO European Region (2017)
Ireland has committed to the WHO target of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health concern by 2030.
Hepatitis B
In Ireland, most diagnosed cases of hepatitis B were born in countries with higher prevalences of infection (>2% hepatitis B surface antigen prevalence in population) and were likely to have been infected at birth or in early childhood. Smaller numbers of cases are infected each year in Ireland, most commonly through sexual exposure.
There is a safe and effective vaccine for hepatitis B. This has been included in the primary infant immunisation schedule in Ireland since 2008 and is also recommended for people at increased risk of hepatitis B because of their occupation, lifestyle or other factors.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is most commonly transmitted through sharing contaminated equipment when injecting drugs or through receipt of unscreened blood or blood products in the past. Sexual, occupational and mother to baby transmission can also occur but are less common. The risk of sexual transmission is increased in men who have sex with men, particularly those who are HIV positive or have other sexually transmitted infections. Nosocomial transmission is very rare in Ireland, but may be more common in countries with higher prevalences of hepatitis C and where infection control and sterilisation of instruments and medical devices is insufficient.
A national hepatitis C treatment programme (NHCTP) was established by the HSE in 2015 with the aim of providing treatment to all people living with hepatitis C in Ireland. Over 4,500 patients have been successfully treated since 2015. Elimination of hepatitis C is now achievable in Ireland.
Further information on hepatitis C:
HSE National Hepatitis C Treatment Programme
Drug-related bloodborne viruses in Ireland, 2018
Further information on hepatitis B