​The Department of Health (DH) today (July 28) said that with the Government's promulgation and efforts over the past three decades, the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Hong Kong has been significantly reduced and is moving progressively towards the goal of a "hepatitis B-free generation".

     World Hepatitis Day is designated on July 28 every year. This year, the DH has adopted the slogan "1 in 20: Test and Manage Hep B Early" to remind members of the public to undergo testing early if they are uncertain whether they are having chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Early identification and management can effectively lower the risk of serious liver diseases caused by CHB.

     "The prevalence of HBV infection in Hong Kong was over 10 per cent in the 1970s. Since the 1980s, the Government has implemented various effective and free preventive measures, including universal antenatal screening for hepatitis B, administration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin for babies born to mothers with hepatitis B, universal neonatal hepatitis B vaccination since 1988, use of antivirals for pregnant women with CHB and high viral load, and post-vaccination serologic testing arranged for babies born to mothers with hepatitis B in recent years. Currently, the prevalence of HBV infection is less than 1 per cent among those under 35 years old. Hong Kong is moving towards the goal of a 'hepatitis B-free generation'", said the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the Public Health Services Branch of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Bonnie Wong.

     Hepatitis B infection can be acute or chronic. Severe cases of hepatitis B infection can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis or liver cancer. As derived from the findings of the Population Health Survey (PHS) 2020-22 conducted by the DH, about 5.6 per cent (about 410 000 people) of the Hong Kong population have CHB. The survey found that the prevalence of HBV infection among participants aged 35 to 84 was significantly higher at 7.8 per cent, mainly because those born before 1988 had not benefited from the universal childhood hepatitis B immunisation programme. The survey also found that nearly 40 per cent of people with CHB were not aware of their conditions and about 70 per cent of people with CHB did not receive any medical follow-up. CHB is a lifelong infection that often shows no symptoms for decades. Without treatment, about 15 to 40 per cent of the patients with CHB may develop serious liver diseases like cirrhosis or liver cancer in the long run. Liver cancer is Hong Kong's third leading cause of cancer deaths, which claimed around 1 400 lives every year. About 80 per cent of primary liver cancer patients have CHB.

     The DH, in support of World Hepatitis Day, urges members of the public in Hong Kong to pay attention to CHB, which is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. People who are not sure whether they have CHB, especially those at higher risk of infection, such as those who have not received vaccination, or whose family members (including parents, siblings and offspring) or sexual partners have CHB, are advised to undergo early testing to review their health condition and take appropriate preventive measures, including receiving hepatitis B vaccination.

     Apart from the traditional venous blood sampling, rapid test for hepatitis B using blood drop from a finger-prick is also available and the result will be available in 15 to 30 minutes. Hepatitis B testing is available at different healthcare organisations, and some even offer mobile testing services. Members of the public may consult their family doctors for details and the charges if they wish to have hepatitis B testing.

     If you are diagnosed with CHB, in line with the principle of "test and manage early", you should consult your doctor for advice and receive regular follow-ups and examinations. Current antiviral medications for hepatitis B can inhibit virus replication effectively and thereby greatly reduce the risk of complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

     Separately, the 2024 Policy Address announced a risk-based hepatitis B screening in the community for early identification of people with CHB in the community, and to provide subsequent management. The Primary Healthcare Commission is exploring the relevant arrangement and details will be announced in due course. In addition, the Government will announce the Hong Kong Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2025-2030 within this year, to promulgate measures to further alleviate the public health burden of viral hepatitis.

     To raise the public and healthcare workers' awareness of the risk of hepatitis, the DH and community partners have respectively launched a number of publicity campaigns to disseminate the messages to different population groups, including:

• promoting health information through multiple channels, such as newspaper columns, radio interviews and social media;
• organising online and physical health seminars in District Health Centres;
• organising roving exhibitions on health promotions in various districts across the territory; and
• organising community public education activities by non-governmental organisations (including Asiahep Hong Kong Limited, Hong Kong Hepatitis B Free Foundation, the Hong Kong Liver Foundation and the Hong Kong Liver Transplant Patients' Association) to educate the public on the prevention of hepatitis B, and provide services such as rapid testing and risk assessment.

     For more information on World Hepatitis Day 2025 and hepatitis B, please visit the thematic website and Viral Hepatitis Control Office's website of the DH.

Ends/Monday, July 28, 2025
Issued at HKT 12:10

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