What is hepatitis B? The viral infection 1 in 20 Hongkongers has, with many unaware
Hepatitis B remains a significant public health concern in Hong Kong, with many carriers unaware of their infection status. Experts emphasize the importance of regular screening and medical management for those living with the virus.
Why it matters
Raising awareness about asymptomatic viral infections is critical for public health policy and reducing long-term healthcare burdens.
David, who is in his forties and works in finance in Hong Kong, does not remember a life without hepatitis B, a viral infection of the liver.
“I have been a … carrier for as long as I can remember,” he says. “I found out early on as a child since I was born with it – my mother is a carrier, too.”
David’s experience is far from unusual in Hong Kong. According to Dr Loey Mak Lung-yi, a specialist in gastroenterology and hepatology, mother-to-child transmissions account for more than 90 per cent of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) cases in the city.
About 410,000 people in Hong Kong have hepatitis B, according to the government’s Viral Hepatitis Action Plan. Alarmingly, 40 per cent are completely unaware of their infection and 70 per cent are not receiving appropriate medical follow-up care.
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