Governor Stein Proclaims Viral Hepatitis Awareness Month and Viral Hepatitis Testing Day

Viral Hepatitis Awareness Month

And

Viral Hepatitis Testing Day

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, millions of Americans are living with chronic hepatitis, and most are unaware of their infection; and viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver transplants and liver cancer, representing a significant disease burden; and 

Whereas, in 2024, North Carolinians were diagnosed with 177 acute cases and 1,119 chronic cases of hepatitis B, as well as 44 acute cases and 8,966 chronic cases of hepatitis C; and 

Whereas, vaccines are available to prevent hepatitis A and B infections, and while no hepatitis C vaccine is available, a cure exists for hepatitis C; and 

Whereas, National Hepatitis Testing Day is observed annually on May 19; and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends universal hepatitis C screening at least once for all adults aged 18 and older, testing for all pregnant people at least once during each pregnancy, and routine testing for people with ongoing risk factors; and 

Whereas, the State of North Carolina is actively working to promote evidence-based risk reduction strategies, such as syringe service programs, as a method to reduce the spread of hepatitis; and 

Whereas, Hepatitis Awareness Month brings an opportunity to recognize efforts to eliminate disease burden and associated health inequities in our state and to commend the many people working to improve health outcomes by supporting research, patient education, and prevention efforts to stop the spread of vital hepatitis; and 

Whereas, the State of North Carolina joins the CDC, state and local public health departments, community-based organizations, hospitals, health care providers, and other community, health care, and faith-based organizations in promoting hepatitis awareness and prevention;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as “Viral Hepatitis Awareness Month" and May 19, 2026, as "Viral Hepatitis Testing Day” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-seventh day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.