Key facts Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease The virus is most commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery, in early childhood, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids during sex with an infected partner, unsafe injections or exposures to sharp instruments. Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccines It is estimated there are 1.2 million new infections each year and around 1.1 million deaths Overview Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by a virus, which can be either short-term or long-term. Hepatitis B is a major global health concern and is most prevalent in the western Pacific, Africa and south east Asia. The infection can lead to chronic illness, significantly increasing the risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Adults are more likely to develop the acute form of the disease, while children are more likely to have the chronic form.…