India, July 29 -- Marking World Hepatitis Day, the World Health Organization has called on governments and partners to urgently accelerate efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat and reduce liver cancer deaths.
"Every 30 seconds, someone dies from a hepatitis-related severe liver disease or liver cancer. Yet we have the tools to stop hepatitis," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Viral hepatitis - types A, B, C, D, and E - are major causes of acute liver infection. Among these only hepatitis B, C, and D can lead to chronic infections that significantly increase the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Yet most people with hepatitis don't know they're infected. Types B, C, and D a...