Moldova celebrates the World Hepatitis Day for the first time. This year’s theme of the event – “I’m Number 12?” - warns that every 12th persons on the globe suffers from hepatitis B or C. Hepatitis kills more than one million people every year. Millions more suffer immediate sickness or long-term ill health. World Hepatitis Day provides an opportunity to recognize viral hepatitis as a major global health problem in order to advance prevention and control. About 5 000 news cases of chronic hepatitis and hepatic cirrhosis are recorded in Moldova every year 3 000 persons die, while 200 become invalids. According to specialized international institutions, Moldova ranks first in the world by the death rate from hepatic cirrhosis, Info-Prim Neo reports. Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E can cause acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. These viruses constitute a major global health risk with around 350 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis B and around 170 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis C. In order to combat hepatitis B, C and D in Moldova there were implemented two national programs, in 1997-2011, with a budget of over 78 million lei. The national program for the given area for the next period is now being prepared for approval, Minister of Health Andrei Usatyi told a news conference. “60% of the cases of hepatitis viruses B, C and D are caused by stomatological and surgical manipulations, while the rest by the social behavior of the population – multiple sexual partners, making of tattoos with non-sterile instruments. Hepatitis B, C and D cannot be transmitted by cough, water and food,” said Andrei Usatyi.