New York State Department of Health Highlights Vaccination, Testing and Treatment On World Hepatitis Day

Department is Committed to Reducing Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Viral Hepatitis by Encouraging Vaccination and Early Testing and Treatment

This Year's Theme is "It's Time for Action"

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 26, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health is recognizing World Hepatitis Day, which takes place each year on July 28, to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis and to highlight the importance of testing, treatment and vaccination. This year's theme is, "It's time for action."

"Time for action means it's time for urgency to prevent, diagnose, and treat viral hepatitis, especially hepatitis C—one of the most common types of viral hepatitis," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "I urge those who are at risk to take action by getting tested and vaccinated for hepatitis A and B and if diagnosed with hepatitis B or C, get treated and cured as soon as possible to help stop the spread of viral hepatitis."

Viral hepatitis is an infection that affects the liver and includes five different types (A-E), with the three most common types being hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. There is a vaccine for hepatitis A and B, but there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. A simple blood test is all it takes for individuals to know their status.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a finger stick point-of-care hepatitis C diagnostic test to allow people to know their hepatitis C status in less than one hour. The AIDS Institute-supported Drug User Health Hubs will be using this new-state-of-the-art testing technology to allow more people to know whether they have hepatitis C and to get them cured. 

The hepatitis C virus is spread through exposure to blood, which can occur during injection drug use, sharing of any drug paraphernalia and improper infection control practices in health care facilities. Sexual transmission of hepatitis C is not common. However, sex that results in bleeding can increase the risk of transmission. Symptoms of hepatitis C may take many years to develop, which makes it critical for individuals who may have been exposed to the virus to get tested.

Symptoms of viral hepatitis can include the following (however, many people with hepatitis B and C do not have symptoms):

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Dark urine
  • Clay-colored or pale stools
  • Abdominal pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Joint pain, especially in the hips, knees, fingers and spine
  • Jaundice

Hepatitis C is curable. A short course of oral treatment leads to a cure in over 90 percent of people. Data from the Department shows only half of the 189,749 New Yorkers who were diagnosed with hepatitis C between 2010-2021 have been successfully cured or resolved the infection without treatment.

New York State is committed to getting the other 50 percent of New Yorkers access to hepatitis C treatment and a life-saving cure by supporting innovative models of hepatitis C treatment in syringe service programs and on mobile vans to reach those most impacted by hepatitis C – people who inject drugs – and expanding capacity for hepatitis C testing and treatment in opioid treatment programs. People living with hepatitis C are severely impacted by stigma and discrimination and may not seek health care in a traditional care setting. New York State is bringing treatment and cure to them where they feel most comfortable.

Governor Kathy Hochul approved the expansion of the New York State Hepatitis C Testing Law to ensure that all adults and pregnant people are screened for hepatitis C and younger people who have a risk. The new testing law also requires providers to order a hepatitis C screening test on all pregnant people during each pregnancy. The new screening requirements went into effect on May 3, 2024.

Additionally, the New York State Hepatitis C Elimination Plan reaffirms the State's commitment to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030. The five-step elimination plan includes prevention; care and treatment access; testing and linkage to care; surveillance, data and metrics; social determinants of health. To provide an update on progress toward accomplishing that goal, the State recently hosted the Second Annual Hepatitis C Elimination Progress Report meeting on May 15, 2024. A recording of the meeting can be viewed here.

The Department, along with local health departments (LHDs), offers ways to control and prevent the spread of all hepatitis infections. Local county health departments may offer testing and linkage to treatment and vaccination (for hepatitis A and hepatitis B). Additionally, counseling and educational information may be offered to anyone who may have been exposed to hepatitis, is at risk for developing infection, and those who may already know they are infected and want to learn more about how they can protect others.

For information on hepatitis A and B vaccination, visit this webpage here.

For more information on hepatitis C, visit this web page here.

For more information on viral hepatitis, visit the CDC webpage here.

To find a nearby hepatitis C provider in New York State, visit the Department's provider directory here.