WHO reports nearly one-third of global population infected with hepatitis

July 26 marked the release of startling data regarding the prevalence of hepatitis in the population of the world at large. The World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations (UN) reported that approximately one-third of the global population has been infected with some strain of hepatitis, amounting to about 2 billion people, according to local ABC affiliate station WLS-TV.

This major announcement by the WHO came with the designation of July 28 as the first official "UN World Hepatitis Day." The UN intends for the day to encourage increased awareness and understanding of the disease's dangers, particularly in its most prominent and easily-transmitted strain of hepatitis B.

The disease is typically spread through the sharing of body fluids, including blood and semen, and it attacks the liver. Many of those infected with hepatitis in any of its forms are not in any way aware that they are carrying the disease.

Some strains, such as hepatitis A and B, can be prevented through vaccination. Vaccines are being developed for the D and E strains, while efforts to develop a hepatitis C vaccine have proved unsuccessful.

Prominent risk factors that can lead to hepatitis B infection include unprotected sex with multiple partners and the use of intravenous drugs such as heroin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.