EDS: Not for use before 0500 AEST on Tuesday April 21
HEPATITIS B VIRUS (HBV) EXPLAINED:
* HBV is a currently incurable chronic infectious disease;
* More than two billion people worldwide are infected and about 400 million have a chronic HBV infection;
* The virus infects liver cells and can lead to complications including cirrhosis and liver cancer;
* This results in more than 780,000 deaths annually;
* Those with a chronic infection must take antiviral drugs for life, otherwise the viral load will once again increase.
Source: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne
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