World Hepatitis Day aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Observed on July 28 each year, World Hepatitis Day is an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Hepatitis Alliance.

Worldwide, 400 million people are living with hepatitis B or C. Every year 1.4 million people die from viral hepatitis and yet all of these deaths are preventable.

In Australia it is estimated that more than 220,000 people are living with chronic hepatitis C infection and more than 200,000 are living with hepatitis B.

Burnet Institute is playing its part to address this major disease burden.

Located within Burnet’s Centre for Biomedical Research, the virus entry and vaccine laboratory conducts studies into Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).

The Viral Hepatitis Group in Burnet’s Centre for Population Health works closely with virologists, immunologists and mathematical modellers to improve our understanding of hepatitis C and its transmission, and the management and care of people already infected.

Burnet will be actively involved in events on and around World Hepatitis Day including:

• The Victorian Hepatitis B Alliance’s 7th annual Spotlight on Hepatitis B on Wednesday 22 July

• Head, Centre for Population Health, Professor Margaret Hellard’s presentation on new hepatitis C treatments to Bendigo Health on Tuesday 28 July

• Hepatitis B Research Symposium: Past, Present and Future on Thursday 30 July featuring keynote speaker, Professor Harvey Alter

To find out more about World Hepatitis Day in Australia and the many events such as free screenings, poster campaigns, demonstrations, concerts, talk shows and vaccination drives, contact your local hepatitis organisation.