Improved action, reliable financing needed to end spread of viral hepatitis – WHO
WHO Reaffirms Commitment to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis by 2030
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated its goal to eradicate viral hepatitis globally by the year 2030, emphasizing that ongoing efforts are making progress, yet significant challenges remain.
In a statement issued Tuesday at the World Hepatitis Summit, the organization highlighted a new report indicating that viral hepatitis B and C were responsible for 1.34 million deaths worldwide in 2024. The report also detailed a concerning trend: more than 4,900 new infections occur daily, amounting to approximately 1.8 million annually. This indicates persistent transmission despite advancements in prevention, testing, and treatment efforts across various countries.
Since 2015, WHO noted notable achievements, including a 32% reduction in new hepatitis B infections and a 12% drop in hepatitis C-related deaths. Additionally, vaccination rates among children in numerous regions have improved. The prevalence of hepatitis B among children under five has declined to 0.6%, with 85 countries achieving or exceeding the 2030 target of 0.1%.
However, the report cautioned that the pace of progress is insufficient to meet all the elimination targets set for 2030. WHO officials stressed the need for accelerated prevention strategies, expanded testing, and broader access to effective treatments.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized that political will and reliable funding are crucial to achieving elimination. He noted that millions remain undiagnosed and untreated, often due to stigma, weak health systems, and unequal access to care.
Updated statistics reveal that 287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B or C as of 2024, including approximately 0.9 million new hepatitis B infections. The African region accounted for 68% of these cases. Only 17% of newborns in Africa received the hepatitis B birth dose, and 0.9 million hepatitis C infections were linked to unsafe injection practices and insufficient harm reduction services.
Despite the availability of effective vaccines and treatments, including a highly effective short-course cure for hepatitis C, fewer than 5% of hepatitis B patients receive therapy, with only 20% of patients treated globally.
