The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that global efforts to eliminate hepatitis C have seen mixed results. According to the WHO's 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, new hepatitis C infections declined by 15% from 2019 to 2022, from an estimated 1.5 million to 1.3 million new infections per year. However, the number of deaths from hepatitis C remained relatively stable at around 240,000 per year in 2022.
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver, causing both acute and chronic disease. The virus is spread through contact with infected blood, most commonly through unsafe injection practices, inadequate sterilization of medical equipment, and unscreened blood transfusions. Chronic hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer if left untreated.
Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications can cure more than 95% of people with hepatitis C, but access to diagnosis and treatment remains uneven. The WHO estimates that only 36% of the 50 million people living with chronic hepatitis C globally had been diagnosed by 2022, and only 20% had received treatment. The WHO's goal is to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030, defined as a 90% reduction in new infections and a 65% reduction in deaths compared to 2015 levels.
Progress varies by region. Countries like Egypt have made significant strides through mass screening and treatment campaigns, while many low- and middle-income countries still face barriers such as high drug costs and weak healthcare infrastructure. The WHO emphasizes the need for expanded testing, harm reduction services for people who inject drugs, and integration of hepatitis services into primary healthcare.
