World Hepatitis Day

Today is World Hepatitis Day.  Viral hepatitis is a disease of major public health significance in the United States with over 8,000 deaths in 2013. Most infections were caused by three viruses, hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV)

The number of new cases of HAV has declined significantly from 56,797 in 1970 to 1,562 in 2012.  The number of new cases of HBV has also dropped from 8,310 in 1970 to 1,562 in 2012.

HBV infection among persons aged 6-19 has decreased in recent years. By 2003-2006, over 90% of children had received at least one dose of the recommended three-dose series of hepatitis B vaccine.

For more information:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/hepatitis.htm