In recognition of the estimated 500 million people worldwide living with chronic hepatitis B or C, the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board has recommended a resolution on viral hepatitis to the World Health Assembly in May 2010 that would provide a framework for prevention, diagnosis and treatment if adopted. 

This year, World Hepatitis Day will be on 19 May 2010 as planned. 

In future, World Hepatitis Day will be designated as 28 July in recognition of the birthday of Prof Baruch Blumberg, who first discovered the hepatitis B virus if the resolution is passed. 

The resolution is available here. A Press Release from the World Hepatitis Alliance applauding this resolution is available here