{"id":18272,"date":"2026-05-19T07:48:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T11:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=18272"},"modified":"2026-05-19T09:48:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T13:48:44","slug":"virginia-department-of-health-and-the-virginia-hepatitis-coalition-join-together-for-hepatitis-awareness-month-to-combat-viral-hepatitis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/virginia-department-of-health-and-the-virginia-hepatitis-coalition-join-together-for-hepatitis-awareness-month-to-combat-viral-hepatitis\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Hepatitis Coalition Join Together for Hepatitis Awareness Month to Combat Viral Hepatitis"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOR\u00a0IMMEDIATE\u00a0RELEASE<\/span><\/b> – May\u00a019, 2026<\/span>
\n<\/span>Media Contact<\/span><\/b>:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Logan Anderson,\u00a0logan.anderson@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Hepatitis Coalition Join Together for Hepatitis Awareness Month\u00a0to\u00a0Combat Viral Hepatitis<\/span><\/b>
\n<\/span>Learn About\u00a0Viral\u00a0Hepatitis Testing,\u00a0Vaccination, and Treatment<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(RICHMOND, Va<\/span><\/b>.)\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The\u00a0Virginia Department of Health\u00a0(VDH)\u00a0has joined with the\u00a0<\/span>Virginia Hepatitis Coalition\u00a0(VHC)<\/span><\/a> this May to highlight hepatitis and the danger it poses to the public. May is the annual observance of Hepatitis Awareness Month, nationally; May 19 is National Hepatitis Testing Day in the United States. Both organizations are recommitting their efforts to spread awareness of and education about viral hepatitis to the public.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hepatitis\u00a0is an infection of the liver. When it is goes untreated, it can lead to serious complications including liver cancer and even death.\u00a0While there are multiple types of viral hepatitis, the most common in the United States, and Virginia,\u00a0are hepatitis A, B, and\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0Case counts are higher for hepatitis B and C, with\u00a0cases of hepatitis A normally only occurring in\u00a0high-risk\u00a0populations and outbreaks.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In\u00a02024, Virginia had\u00a0<\/span>more than 1,500 new cases of hepatitis B<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0The most effective way to protect yourself from both hepatitis A and B is a safe and effective vaccine.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There were also more than\u00a0<\/span>4,000 new hepatitis C cases<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in 2024.\u00a0\u00a0There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHepatitis C is curable through a course of oral medications for 8 to 12 weeks,\u201d said\u00a0<\/span>State Health Commissioner\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Cameron Webb.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWe have the tools to cure this disease and prolong life, but only if people know their status.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One lifetime hepatitis C test is recommended for all adults to know their status. Testing for viral hepatitis is available at community clinics, private providers, and at all local health departments.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

VDH\u00a0and VHC will be sharing personal stories of Virginians who have been cured of hepatitis C and how this has positively\u00a0impacted\u00a0their lives.\u00a0\u00a0Follow the VDH social media platforms and share these stories to amplify their message.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Viral\u00a0hepatitis thrives in the shadows, but it doesn\u2019t have to. With testing, treatment, and the right partnerships, we can bring it into the light and\u00a0eliminate\u00a0hepatitis C in Virginia,\u201d said\u00a0<\/span>Terry Kemp-Knick, DrPH, BSN-BC, Co-Chair of the Virginia Hepatitis Coalition<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To\u00a0learn more about\u00a0viral hepatitis:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n