SANFORD, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County (DOH-Seminole) recognizes July 28th as World Hepatitis Day, and invites the community to visit their offices located at 400 West Airport Boulevard in Sanford to learn about hepatitis and get tested.

The Hepatitis Prevention Program in Seminole County provides free hepatitis testing Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 4:00pm on a walk-in basis at 400 West Airport Boulevard, Sanford. On Friday, July 28 there will be educational materials displayed and available for visitors in the main entrance.

“Hepatitis screening and testing is essential to reduce the burden of illness and death from this infection since a high percentage of people living with the disease are not aware of their status, said Donna Walsh, health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County.

The World Health Organization (WHO) data show an estimated 325 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C. Viral hepatitis caused 1.34 million deaths in 2015, a number comparable to deaths caused by tuberculosis and HIV combined. Together, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C cause 80% of liver cancer cases in the world.

Hepatitis is characterized by inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common types of viral hepatitis in the United States. Symptoms of hepatitis, if they are present, include nausea, fever, weakness, loss of appetite and jaundice. Hepatitis A is transmitted by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with human waste (feces). Hepatitis B is spread through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. Hepatitis C is usually spread through contact with blood containing the virus. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C (HCV). 

The intent of the annual observance is to increase awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis as a major global health threat. All types of viral hepatitis can cause inflammation of the liver; however, hepatitis B and C infection can result in a lifelong, chronic infection.

For more information on hepatitis and the Seminole County Hepatitis Prevention Program please contact Enid Santiago-Cruz in Seminole County at (407) 665-3019.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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