The World Health Organization (WHO) says global efforts to combat viral hepatitis are making measurable progress in reducing infections and deaths, but the disease remains a significant public health challenge requiring sustained action.
In a statement released Tuesday at the World Hepatitis Summit, the organisation cited a new report indicating that hepatitis B and C caused 1.34 million deaths worldwide in 2024.
According to the report, transmission remains ongoing, with over 4,900 new infections recorded daily—equivalent to about 1.8 million annually—highlighting continued spread despite expanded prevention, testing, and treatment efforts across many countries.
The WHO noted that since 2015, there has been notable progress, including a 32 per cent reduction in new hepatitis B infections and a 12 per cent decline in hepatitis C-related deaths.
It also reported improvements in childhood vaccination coverage, with hepatitis B prevalence among children under five dropping to 0.6 per cent. Additionally, 85 countries have met or surpassed the 2030 target of 0.1 per cent prevalence in this age group.
Despite these gains, the report warned that progress remains too slow and uneven to achieve all 2030 elimination targets.
It called for intensified prevention strategies, expanded testing, and improved access to treatment globally.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said elimination of viral hepatitis is achievable with strong political commitment and sustainable financing. However, he noted that many people remain undiagnosed and untreated due to stigma, weak health systems, and unequal access to care.
He added that an estimated 287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B or C in 2024, including 0.9 million new hepatitis B infections, with Africa accounting for 68 per cent of these cases.
The WHO further revealed that only 17 per cent of newborns in the African region receive the hepatitis B birth dose, while approximately 0.9 million hepatitis C infections occur annually, often linked to unsafe medical practices and inadequate harm-reduction services.
Despite the availability of effective vaccines and treatments—including a hepatitis C cure rate exceeding 95 per cent—fewer than five per cent of hepatitis B patients receive therapy, and only about 20 per cent of those with hepatitis C are treated globally.
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