I AM Public Health

We still don't know exactly how long protection from COVID-19 vaccines lasts, but most people have strong protection against serious illness and death for at least 6 months.

Malaria vaccine: When will it be available? Following the announcement about the first malaria vaccine, we look at some of the key questions.

Today is ‘World Hepatitis Day’, a global celebration that raises awareness on the global burden of hepatitis every year.

The 2021 theme is — ‘Hepatitis Can’t Wait’, which highlights the importance of taking action.

We are called to identify, prevent and treat hepatitis.

This year’s campaign emphasises that efforts to eliminate hepatitis must be increased immediately to avoid preventable deaths – one person dies every 30 seconds from hepatitis.

Key facts:

• Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver that can cause mild to severe illness.

• The hepatitis A virus is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person.

• Almost everyone recovers fully from hepatitis A with a lifelong immunity. However, a very small proportion of people infected with hepatitis A could die from fulminant hepatitis.

• The risk of hepatitis A infection is associated with a lack of safe water and poor sanitation and hygiene (such as contaminated and dirty hands).

•A safe and effective vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis A.

WHO declares China malaria-free after nation reports zero cases for last 4 years
The country reported 30 million cases of the infectious disease annually in the 1940s but has now gone four consecutive years without an indigenous case.

China was certified as malaria-free on Wednesday by the World Health Organization, following a 70-year effort to eradicate the mosquito-borne disease.