Lisbon, Portugal – More than 6,000 people are diagnosed with viral hepatitis each day, according to a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO). This report, released at the World Hepatitis Summit in Lisbon, highlights the concerning trend of stagnant progress in the fight against this disease on a global scale.
Viral hepatitis can be caused by various factors, including heavy alcohol consumption, certain medications, and viruses that lead to liver inflammation, jaundice, fever, and other symptoms. The report emphasizes the importance of prevention through vaccination, particularly for two strains of the virus, hepatitis B and C, which can result in long-term illness, with hepatitis B being responsible for the majority of deaths.
Tragically, deaths from viral hepatitis are increasing, making it the second leading cause of death among non-COVID communicable diseases worldwide. In 2022, the number of deaths due to viral hepatitis rose to 1.3 million globally, up from 1.1 million in 2019. Despite a decline in new cases during this period, the report indicates that the world is not on track to achieve the WHO’s goal of reducing new hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths by 65% by 2030.
The burden of viral hepatitis is disproportionately concentrated in certain countries, with two-thirds of cases falling within just 10 nations, including China, India, and Nigeria. Inequities in access to healthcare, medications, testing, and vaccinations contribute to these disparities, as highlighted in the report.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern over the rising death toll, attributing it to a lack of diagnosis and treatment for individuals with hepatitis. The report also identifies financial constraints as a potential barrier to progress, but underscores the potential of a public health approach focused on enhancing access to hepatitis interventions to reverse this trend and ultimately eliminate the disease by the end of the decade.