On World Hepatitis Day, July 28, 2015, WHO and partners will urge policymakers, health workers and the public to take immediate action to prevent viral infections and deaths caused by hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Millions of people worldwide are affected, causing acute and chronic liver disease, and nearly 1.5 million people die each year from this disease, mostly from hepatitis B and C. These infections can be prevented, but most people don’t know how to do it. In May 2014, World Health Assembly delegates from 194 governments adopted a resolution to promote global action for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis. Activities worldwide on World Hepatitis Day focus on the prevention of hepatitis B and C. July 28 was chosen as World Hepatitis Day to honor the discovery of the hepatitis B virus, the developer of the first hepatitis B vaccine, and Nobel Laureate Baruch Samuel. Samuel Bloomberg Bloomberg’s birthday. World Hepatitis Day 2015 Key Messages Prevent Hepatitis – Know the Dangers. Unsafe blood, unsafe injections, and sharing drug injection equipment can all contribute to hepatitis infection. Prevent hepatitis – demand safe injections. Each year, 2 million people contract hepatitis from unsafe injections. The use of sterile, single-use syringes can prevent such infections. Hepatitis prevention – vaccinate children. About 780,000 people die each year from hepatitis B infection. A safe and effective vaccine can protect people from hepatitis B infection for a lifetime. Prevent hepatitis – get tested and seek treatment. Effective drugs exist to treat hepatitis B and cure hepatitis C.