World Hepatitis Day observed

ISLAMABAD: Like other parts of the world, the World Hepatitis Day was observed in Pakistan today Sunday.

WHO and partners mark World Hepatitis Day to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes.

Hepatitis viruses A‚ B‚ C‚ D and E can cause acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

These viruses constitute a major global health risk with around 240 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis B and around 150 million people chronically infected with hepatitis C.

For 2013‚ the overall theme continues to be "This is hepatitis. Know it. Confront it." The campaign emphasizes the fact that hepatitis remains largely unknown as a health threat in much of the world. (PPI)