July 28, 2012, marks the second annual World Hepatitis Day, established in 2010 by the World Health Organization (WHO). Viral hepatitis is a largely silent epidemic; however, it is the leading cause of liver cancer and cirrhosis around the world. Approximately 500 million persons are living with chronic hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection; most are unaware of their infections, which contribute to nearly 1 million deaths annually.
World Hepatitis Day — July 28, 2012 (MMWR, 7/27)
