Hepatitis B: Enhance screening, vaccination to fight stealthy, silent virus, say experts

NEW DELHI: Hepatitis B is a stealthy and silent virus; enhancing screening and vaccination is very important to fight it, said experts on World Hepatitis Day on Monday.

World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28 to raise awareness about hepatitis and strengthen efforts to prevent and manage it. The theme this year is ‘Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down’.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global hepatitis report 2022, India had 29.8 million hepatitis B cases which is equivalent to 11.7 per cent of the total global hepatitis B cases. Globally, 254 million people were living with hepatitis B in 2022.

“Hepatitis B is a stealthy, silent virus. It only activates at a later age -- 40, 50, or 60 years -- and remains silent until one day you hear someone has liver cancer,” said Dr. (Prof.) S K Sarin, Senior Professor, Department of Hepatology and Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, at an event held in the national capital.