England Reports 90% Drop in Hepatitis C Cases, Nearing Elimination Target
England is on course to become one of the first countries globally to eliminate hepatitis C, a severe liver virus. Latest figures reveal a substantial reduction in both new infections and mortality rates associated with the disease. Public Health England (PHE) reported a 90% decrease in new diagnoses since 2015, alongside an 11% drop in overall hepatitis C-related deaths in 2022 compared to the previous year.
This progress is largely credited to the National Health Service (NHS) England's elimination programme, which commenced in 2015. The initiative has focused on identifying and treating individuals with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications. These treatments boast a cure rate exceeding 95% and have been central to the rapid decline in the virus's prevalence.
Dr. Sema Mandal, Deputy Director at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), emphasised the programme's effectiveness in reaching vulnerable populations, including those who inject drugs, who are disproportionately affected by hepatitis C. While significant strides have been made, PHE analysis indicates that approximately 40% of people living with hepatitis C remain undiagnosed.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines elimination as an 80% reduction in new infections and a 65% reduction in mortality by 2030. England has already surpassed these targets ahead of schedule, with new diagnoses falling by 90% and deaths by 34% by the end of 2022. Continued efforts are underway to locate the remaining undiagnosed individuals to achieve complete elimination of the virus.
