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Next Thursday (Jul 28th) will mark the first official World Health Organization (WHO) World Hepatitis Day, designed to promote awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis, an often silent killer that claims more than a million lives each year.
This week the CDC’s MMWR noted this upcoming event with two features.
First, the announcement of the event, followed by a report on sexual transmission of HCV among HIV-infected MSM (men who have sex with men) in New York City.
Weekly
World Hepatitis Day --- July 28, 2011
July 22, 2011 / 60(28);945July 28, 2011, marks the first official World Hepatitis Day established by the World Health Organization (WHO). CDC joins with WHO in calling for a renewed commitment against a largely silent but persistent epidemic. Worldwide, nearly 500 million persons are living with chronic hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, and these infections cause approximately 1 million deaths annually (1); most persons with chronic viral hepatitis are unaware of their infections. Effective tools are available to prevent infection with viral hepatitis, including hepatitis B vaccination, surveillance, education, screening, and treatment; the challenge is to build the capacity to extend these interventions globally. In 2010, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution urging greater control of viral hepatitis (2).
In Europe, HCV infection outbreaks and rising incidence have been observed among men who have sex with men (MSM) with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This issue of MMWR includes a report on sexual transmission of HCV among HIV-infected MSM in New York City. The findings emphasize the importance of HCV screening among these men, which allows for preventive care and treatment.
In the United States, World Hepatitis Day will be observed July 28 at a White House event. Information regarding the webcast of this event will be available at http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis.
July 22, 2011 / Vol. 60 / No. 28
Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus Among HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men — New York City, 2005–2010
This study finds that sexual transmission of Hepatitis C, while inefficient, is not as rare as previously believed.
There are several major online portals of information on Hepatitis that are involved in promoting World Hepatitis Day, including:
National Viral Hepatitis roundtable
While there are five different types of viral hepatitis that have been identified (A,B,C,D,E), Hepatitis D and E infections are uncommon in the United States.
This from the CDC.
Hepatitis Information for the Public
What is Viral Hepatitis?
The word "hepatitis" means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis is most often caused by a virus. In the US, the most common types are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications and certain medical conditions can also cause hepatitis.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is an acute liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV), lasting from a few weeks to several months. It does not lead to chronic infection.
Transmission: Ingestion of fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts, from close person-to-person contact or ingestion of contaminated food or drinks.
Vaccination: Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all children starting at age 1 year, travelers to certain countries, and others at risk.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It ranges in severity from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks (acute), to a serious long-term (chronic) illness that can lead to liver disease or liver cancer.
Transmission: Contact with infectious blood, semen, and other body fluids from having sex with an infected person, sharing contaminated needles to inject drugs, or from an infected mother to her newborn.
Vaccination: Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all infants, older children and adolescents who were not vaccinated previously, and adults at risk for HBV infection.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV infection sometimes results in an acute illness, but most often becomes a chronic condition that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.
Transmission: Contact with the blood of an infected person, primarily through sharing contaminated needles to inject drugs.
Vaccination: There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C.
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D is a serious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis D virus (HDV) and relies on HBV to replicate. It is uncommon in the United States.
Transmission: Contact with infectious blood, similar to how HBV is spread.
Vaccination: There is no vaccine for Hepatitis D.
Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E is a serious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis E virus (HEV) that usually results in an acute infection. It does not lead to a chronic infection. While rare in the United States, Hepatitis E is common in many parts of the world.
Transmission: Ingestion of fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts; outbreaks are usually associated with contaminated water supply in countries with poor sanitation.
Vaccination: There is currently no FDA-approved vaccine for Hepatitis E.
And finally, this from the World Health Organization:
World Hepatitis Day
28 July 2011
The first official WHO World Hepatitis Day is marked to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes. It provides an opportunity to focus on specific actions such as:
- strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases;
- increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration into national immunization programmes; and
- coordinating a global response to hepatitis.
Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E can cause acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. These viruses constitute a major global health risk with around 350 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis B and around 170 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis C.
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