Prevention of hepatitis infections in health-care settings
Effective modes of transmission of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus include unsafe injection within health-care settings and in the community, and transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products.
Infection prevention by improving blood safety and instituting safe injection practices are core interventions in the Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis. WHO recommends the use of sterile single-use needles and syringes for all medical injections, and has published guidance on standard procedures for effective sterilization.
WHO also recommends that 100% of donated blood be screened for infections with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, as well as HIV and syphilis, to avoid the transmission of such infections from blood donors to patients through transfusion. WHO has developed an Action framework to advance universal access to safe, effective and quality-assured blood products 2020–2023.
Latest policy guidance
Action framework to advance universal access to safe, effective and quality-assured blood products 2020–2023
In response to calls for action, WHO has provided guidelines, physical standards, training and technical support to improve blood product quality, safety...
Protecting the blood supply during infectious disease outbreaks: guidance for national blood services
This guidance document has been produced by WHO to assist blood services in the development of national plans to respond to any emerging infectious threats...
A guide to establishing a national haemovigilance system
The goal of haemovigilance is continuous quality improvement of the transfusion chain through corrective and preventive actions to improve donor and patient safety,...