Viral hepatitis is a serious public health problem worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated July 28 as “World Hepatitis Day”. Viral hepatitis is a serious public health problem worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated July 28 as “World Hepatitis Day”.

Hepatitis, in its simplest form, is the inflammation of the liver. After tuberculosis, hepatitis is the most common infectious disease leading to death and can develop due to various causes. Viral hepatitis is primarily caused by different types of viruses, especially Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses are particularly important as they can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, or liver cancer in the long term.

The Viral Hepatitis Prevention and Control Program, conducted by the Ministry of Health in Turkey, aims to raise awareness among at-risk individuals, prevent transmission, and ensure early detection and treatment of the disease.

Hepatitis A is a disease that can be transmitted through water and food and spreads easily under poor hygienic conditions. While it presents mild symptoms in childhood, it can cause serious liver disease and deaths in older ages. The incidence of infection has decreased in Turkey with the improvement of hygiene standards, access to clean water, and the initiation of Hepatitis A vaccination programs. In our country, children receive two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine for free at 18 and 24 months, and individuals in risk groups receive it 6 months apart. In 2022, the coverage of the administered vaccines was 96.06%.

The transmission routes of Hepatitis B and C include the transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products, sharing of infected needles, sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission, and household contact.

The most effective way to prevent Hepatitis B disease is through vaccination. Since 1998, the Hepatitis B vaccine has been included in the routine childhood immunization schedule in Turkey and is also provided free of charge to at-risk individuals. Although there is no vaccine for the Hepatitis C virus yet, effective treatments are available and are provided free of charge under general health insurance in Turkey. In 2022, the third dose coverage of the Hepatitis B vaccine was 99.41%, meaning nearly all targeted individuals were vaccinated. This program has provided successful protection against Hepatitis B disease nationwide.

In Turkey, the incidence of acute Hepatitis B disease in children under five has been reduced to below one per 100,000, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The number of cases in children under five decreased from 136 in 2002 to 1 in 2022. Additionally, the incidence of acute Hepatitis B disease in children under five was reported as 0.02 per 100,000 in 2022, down from 2 per 100,000 in 2002. The number of acute Hepatitis B cases in children under 15 also decreased from 734 in 2002 to 8 in 2022. With these successes, Turkey has significantly reduced the spread of Hepatitis B disease and achieved the targeted incidence rates.

Besides vaccination, it is essential to take protective measures related to transmission routes to prevent hepatitis. Seeking information and raising awareness by consulting health institutions is a crucial step in preventing and controlling viral hepatitis.