Which one of the following statements regarding the disease hepatitis B is false?

The statement regarding hepatitis B that is false is that it is transmitted mainly in saliva. Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through contact with the blood and bodily fluids of an infected person. This includes exposure to blood products, unprotected sexual contact, and from mother to child during childbirth. While saliva can contain the virus, it is not considered a primary means of transmission, making this statement inaccurate.

The other statements are accurate: the disease can indeed be prevented by vaccination, which is a crucial public health measure to reduce the incidence of hepatitis B infections. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus, a member of the hepadnavirus family. Additionally, chronic hepatitis B infection is associated with an increased risk of developing primary liver cancer, underscoring the long-term health implications of the virus if not managed properly.