In 2017, at least 263 million people worldwide were carriers of hepatitis B or C virus infections, which can remain asymptomatic for decades1,2
Article
Global Access Program - Hepatitis
Hepatitis B and C are among the most common viral infections in the world.
Hepatitis B (HBV) - 296 million chronic carriers2
Chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Contact with infected bodily fluids
Infected blood or organ transfer
Mother-to-child transmission
Sexual transmission
Hepatitis C (HCV) - 58 million chronic carriers3
Chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Poorly sterilized medical equipment
Blood transfusion or organ transplant
Although rare, hepatitis C can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse
Intravenous drug use
95% of people living with viral hepatitis do not know it. In 2016, the World Health Assembly adopted WHO’s first “Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis,” with the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
Vision
A world where viral hepatitis transmission is halted and everyone living with viral hepatitis has access to safe, affordable and effective prevention, care and treatment services.
Goals and targets
90%
Reduction in new cases in chronic hepatitis B and C by 2030.
65%
Reduction in hepatitis related deaths
80%
of eligible people with chronic hepatitis B and C infections treated by 2030
These goals and targets apply globally to everyone at risk of viral hepatitis infection, children, adolescents, and adults, rich and poor, women and men, and all populations affected and at risk.
In 2016, the World Health Assembly approved a global strategy to achieve elimination of the viral hepatitis public health threat by 2013.
To do this, and starting from the 2015 baseline, countries and regions need to reduce new infections by 90% and reduce deaths by 65% by 2030.
These targets apply to everyone at risk of viral hepatitis infection: children, adolescents and adults, rich and poor, women and men, and all populations affected and at risk.
Hepatitis B (HBV)
296 million infected
2/3 living in Western Pacific/Africa
Major Risk:
Perinatal/horizontal contact among young children
820,000 deaths per year
Mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatitis C (HCV)
48 million infected
1/2 living in Europe, South Asia, North Africa
Major Risk: Health care associated transmission
Highest prevelance: Persons who inject drugs (50%)
290,000 deaths per year
Mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
References
- World Health Organization. Hepatitis C Fact Sheet Updated July 2016. Last accessed July 2023 at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs164/en/
- World Health Organization. Hepatitis B Fact Sheet. Last accessed November 2023 at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b
- World Health Organization. Hepatitis C Fact Sheet. Last accessed November 2023 at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c