WHO releases new guidelines on hepatitis B

In a landmark move, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released groundbreaking guidelines to address the global challenge of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection.

Unveiled at the 2024 Asian Pacific Conference for the Study of Liver Disease in Kyoto, Japan, these guidelines aim to simplify and expand access to HBV testing and treatment, marking a crucial step towards the WHO's goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. With over 250 million people worldwide living with HBV, the new WHO guidelines focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission, a key transmission route, by recommending antiviral treatment for pregnant women and immediate newborn vaccination. This approach not only aims to reduce the global burden of HBV but also prevents liver-related complications, aligning with India's efforts to curb the disease through its Universal Immunization Program (UIP).