Global health experts are calling for urgent action on World Hepatitis Day, July 28, stressing that early screening and widespread vaccination are crucial to combat viral hepatitis. This "silent liver disease" claims 3,500 lives every day and saw 2.2 million new infections in 2022. Many people do not know they carry the virus, which often leads to severe complications before diagnosis.[who+2]
Silent Threat to Millions
Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by five main virus strains: A, B, C, D, and E. Types B and C are particularly dangerous. They cause chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people worldwide. These two types are the most common reasons for liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and viral hepatitis-related deaths.In 2022, hepatitis B and C combined caused 1.3 million deaths. This makes it the second leading infectious cause of death globally, similar to tuberculosis.[communitymedicine4asses+3]
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2022 that 254 million people lived with hepatitis B and 50 million with hepatitis C.In 2024, an estimated 287 million people had chronic hepatitis B or C infection.The danger lies in its silent nature. Hepatitis B and C can stay in the body for years, even decades, without showing symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, significant liver damage, like cirrhosis or cancer, may have already occurred.[paho+4]
Screening and Vaccination Are Key
Early detection through screening is vital. A simple blood test can identify the virus before it causes severe damage or spreads to others.Knowing one's hepatitis status allows for timely medical decisions, protects liver health, and helps prevent further transmission.Health organizations recommend that all adults aged 18 and older get screened for hepatitis B at least once.Screening for hepatitis C is also advised for all adults over 18.[maxhealthcare+3]
Vaccination offers strong protection against hepatitis A and B.The hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective, preventing over 95% of infections in healthy infants, children, and young adults.This vaccine series provides long-lasting immunity, potentially for a lifetime.Giving a birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns is especially important. It effectively prevents transmission from mother to child.[who+8]
While no vaccine exists for hepatitis C, modern antiviral medicines can cure more than 95% of those infected.Early treatment helps stop the virus from damaging the liver further and reduces the risk of liver cancer.[who+2]
Global Efforts Face Hurdles
The World Health Organization set ambitious goals in 2016 to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030. This strategy aims for a 90% reduction in new infections and a 65% reduction in deaths from hepatitis B and C compared to 2015 levels.Key targets for 2030 include diagnosing 90% of all chronic hepatitis B and C infections and treating 80% of eligible people.[globalhep+2]
Despite these goals and available tools, progress has slowed. The WHO's 2024 Global Hepatitis Report shows that testing and treatment rates have stalled.By 2022, only 13% of people with chronic hepatitis B and 36% with hepatitis C had been diagnosed globally. Treatment rates were even lower, at 3% for hepatitis B and 20% for hepatitis C.[paho+3]
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed concern. He said that "deaths are rising because far too few people with hepatitis are being diagnosed and treated."A major challenge to achieving elimination is a lack of financial and political commitment.Without urgent and sustained action, viral hepatitis could cause millions more new infections, liver cancer cases, and deaths by 2030.[paho+3]
Experts stress that governments, healthcare providers, and communities must act now. They need to expand access to testing, ensure widespread vaccination, and improve treatment coverage. This collective effort is essential to reach the 2030 elimination targets and save millions of lives from this preventable and treatable disease.
