Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by a viral infection. There are five main hepatitis viruses that cause acute and/or chronic infection, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

In the WHO European Region, an estimated 15 million people live with chronic hepatitis B, and an estimated 14 million people are infected with hepatitis C. Because the disease is often asymptomatic and left untreated, chronic hepatitis is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. People who inject drugs are particularly vulnerable to hepatitis and co-infection with both hepatitis and HIV is common.

The spread of hepatitis can be prevented if countries adopt measures promoted by WHO. These include:

• universal newborn immunization against hepatitis B and vaccination against hepatitis A in high-risk groups
• prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B;
• promotion of safer sexual behaviour to reduce the risk of infection
• reduction of harm related to injecting drug use
• provision of a safe blood supply
• prevention of transmission in health care settings.

In addition, access to diagnosis and timely treatment reduces both symptoms of viral hepatitis and complications, including liver failure and primary liver cancer. This improves quality of life and reduces mortality.

What additional progress can be achieved with more resources?

With increased human and financial resources more could be done to strengthen the response to hepatitis in the Region. WHO/Europe would specifically support countries in:

• developing an overall regional strategy that uses a comprehensive integrated approach;
• increasing political commitment in Member States to prevent and control chronic viral hepatitis;
• assessing the current situation, defining appropriate policies and building national capacity;
• strengthening hepatitis prevention by integrating into existing health systems and services, including blood transfusion services, immunization programmes, national cancer programmes, STI services, HIV services and specific programmes for people who inject drugs;
• enhancing hepatitis surveillance and early detection; and
• improving case management and access to diagnosis and treatment; and cooperating with a broad network of regional and national organizations and bodies.