AJK Emphasizes Upon Individual, Collective Role Of Masses To Avert Life-threatening Hepatitis Virus

MIRPUR (AJK) , (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point news - 29th Jul, 2025) Like the world over, World Hepatitis Day has also been observed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) with a strong emphasis on strictly adopting the preventive measures to avert the life-threatening fatal disease.

The seminars and symposiums in various AJK districts and tehsil headquarters were a hallmark of the day to raise awareness among the masses about the adoption of precautionary steps to be saved from the infectious disease.

In the lake-side district of Mirpur AJK, the day was observed in a befitting manner through the holding of a seminar under the auspices of the State Health Services Department with District Health Officer, Mirpur Dr. Fida Hussain Raja in the chair.

The medical experts including Additional District Health Officer, Dr. Maida Kausar, Assistant Director Surveillance, Muhammad Riaz, Assistant Director Training, Sardar Waqas, District Surveillance, Dr. Junaid, Health Educator Officer, Muhammad Aqeel, District Superintendent Vaccination, Abdul Waheed, Incharge Sector CDC Mirpur Zafar Iqbal, besides lady health workers of the Public Health Department participated.

The District Health Officer apprised the participants of the precautionary measures regarding the disease and the treatment around the world.

The DHO while addressing the seminar participants said that "Hepatitis was a liver disease and there are 5 types of hepatitis (A, B, C, D, E).

Hepatitis A and B are also commonly called jaundice.

The duration of this disease is 2 to 3 weeks. Usually its symptoms are mild, such as yellowing of the eyes, vomiting, fever and dizziness, while hepatitis B and C are long-term diseases and are also commonly called black jaundice, and their effects remain in the human body even after the disease was over, the DHO said.

The speakers warned that if hepatitis is not treated in time, liver cancer and death could occur and 10% of people in Pakistan are suffering from hepatitis.

The causes of the spread of hepatitis include contaminated water, contaminated food and blood transfusions infected with hepatitis, as well as hepatitis B and C uncertified blood, reuse of used syringes, they underlined adding that the disease was spread through improper cleaning of medical, surgical and dental equipment, and the use of used shaving blades, razors, and toothbrushes, while hepatitis A and E are usually spread through contaminated food and water.

"A person infected with hepatitis may feel tired all the time, lose weight, lose appetite, have dark urine, yellow skin and eyes, and have flu-like symptoms", they said.

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