Global efforts to eradicate viral hepatitis are showing measurable results, but the world is still far from its 2030 goals. According to the 2026 Global hepatitis report released at the World Hepatitis Summit, significant strides have been made in reducing infections and deaths, yet the disease remains a critical global health threat.
The report highlights a stark reality: while the tools to eliminate hepatitis exist, they aren’t reaching everyone. In 2024, viral hepatitis B and C—which account for 95% of all hepatitis-related deaths—claimed 1.34 million lives. With more than 4,900 new infections occurring every day, the urgency to scale up prevention and treatment has never been higher.
The State of Global Progress Since 2015
It’s not all bad news. The data shows that sustained, coordinated action following the 2016 World Health Assembly targets is working. Since 2015, the world has seen a 32% drop in the annual number of new hepatitis B infections and a 12% decline in deaths related to hepatitis C.
One of the most encouraging victories is found in pediatric care. Hepatitis B prevalence among children under five has decreased to 0.6%. Even more impressive, 85 countries have already achieved or surpassed the 2030 target of reducing this prevalence to 0.1%.
“Around the world, countries are showing that eliminating hepatitis is not a pipedream, it’s possible with sustained political commitment, backed by reliable domestic financing,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
The Burden of Chronic Infection and Treatment Gaps
Despite these gains, a massive gap exists between the number of people living with the virus and those receiving care. In 2024, an estimated 287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B or C.
Hepatitis B: A Crisis of Access
Of the 240 million people with chronic hepatitis B in 2024, fewer than 5% were receiving treatment. The burden is heavily concentrated in specific regions. The WHO African Region accounted for 68% of new hepatitis B infections in 2024, yet only 17% of newborns in that region received the essential hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination.
Hepatitis C: The Cure is Here, But Not Everywhere
Hepatitis C is now curable with a short-course therapy (8-12 weeks) that boasts a cure rate of about 95%. However, only 20% of people with hepatitis C have been treated since this treatment became available in 2015. A significant driver of new infections remains unsafe injection practices; people who inject drugs accounted for 44% of new hepatitis C infections in 2024.
Where the Burden is Heaviest
The report reveals that hepatitis deaths are not evenly distributed. In 2024, 1.1 million people died from hepatitis B and 240,000 from hepatitis C, with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma serving as the primary causes of death.
Top 10 countries accounting for 69% of hepatitis B deaths:
- Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, and Viet Nam.
Top 10 countries accounting for 58% of hepatitis C deaths:
- China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, South Africa, the United States of America, and Viet Nam.
Proven Solutions for Elimination
The WHO emphasizes that eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat is achievable, citing the success of countries like Egypt, Georgia, Rwanda, and the United Kingdom. The strategy relies on three primary tools:
- The Hepatitis B Vaccine: This protects more than 95% of vaccinated individuals against both acute and chronic infections.
- Long-term Antiviral Treatment: This effectively manages chronic hepatitis B and prevents the progression to severe liver disease.
- Short-course Curative Therapy: An 8-12 week regimen that cures over 95% of hepatitis C infections.
To bridge the current gaps, the WHO is calling for the integration of hepatitis services into primary care and an urgent scale-up of birth-dose vaccinations and antiviral prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission, particularly in the African Region.
Key Takeaways: The Path to 2030
| Challenge | Priority Action |
|---|---|
| Low Hep B treatment rates (<5%) | Scale up treatment in African and Western Pacific regions. |
| High Hep C infection among drug users | Strengthen harm reduction and safe injection practices. |
| Low birth-dose vaccination (17% in Africa) | Improve vaccination coverage and prevent mother-to-child transmission. |
| Undiagnosed populations | Integrate screening and services into primary healthcare. |
As Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections, noted, “Every missed diagnosis and untreated infection due to chronic viral hepatitis represents a preventable death.” The tools are ready; the remaining challenge is the political will and financing to ensure they reach every patient.