Why is it in the news?

• World Health Organization (WHO) has released Global Hepatitis Report 2024.

More about the news

• India accounts for 6% of the global burden of hepatitis.
• India ranks second after China for hepatitis B and C cases.
• Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by various infectious viruses and non-infectious agents such as alcohol, autoimmune factors, and drugs.
• The five main strains of the hepatitis virus are A, B, C, D, and E.
• Types B and C are particularly concerning as they lead to chronic disease.
• Hepatitis B and C are the most common causes of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and viral hepatitis-related deaths.
• A vaccine is available for hepatitis B, but there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.