Abstract: As nationally notifiable infectious diseases, viral hepatitis A and B have been major infectious diseases for prevention and treatment in Shanghai.In 1988, an epidemic of hepatitis A virus occurred with nearly 300 000 residents affected.This paper aims to retrospectively analyze the then control and prevention measures such as investigation, pathogen detection, disinfection, quarantine and treatment of patients.The cause of the outbreaks proved to be the eating of clams contaminated with hepatitis A virus.Then were soon carried out prevention and control measures as timely disinfection, fasting clams, isolation treatment of patients and others, which effectively ended hepatitis A epidemic, greatly promoting the concept of public health in the whole society.In addition to hepatitis A, a pilot project of free hepatitis B vaccination for newborns has been implemented since 1986.As the coverage rates of hepatitis B vaccination gradually increased, the new infection rate and reported incidence of acute viral hepatitis B have significantly decreased.Immunization persistence study showed that the effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccine in newborn could last for 23 years.The paper sums up the achievements in the prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis A and B in Shanghai and makes relevant proposals towards the new situation in this regard.