England set to eliminate hepatitis C as treatment targets are met
Figures show England has treated 80% of known hepatitis C cases, with deaths falling by 36% over the past decade.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- England has already met its target of treating 80% of all known hepatitis C cases.
- Deaths from the dangerous liver virus have dropped by 36% over the last 10 years.
- More than 100,000 people have been diagnosed and treated since 2015.
- Taking antiviral tablets for 8 to 12 weeks cures more than 95% of cases.
England is on track to become one of the first nations globally to eliminate hepatitis C, a severe virus targeting the liver, according to recent figures. The milestone target of treating 80% of all recognized cases has already been successfully achieved, while mortality rates related to the virus have dropped by 36% over the past decade, placing the country just shy of its 2030 trajectory requirements.
Patients can cure over 95% of infections simply by taking antiviral tablets for a duration of 8 to 12 weeks. NHS England credits initiatives such as emergency department blood tests, GP registration screenings, and free at-home testing kits with successfully identifying individuals who previously remained undiagnosed.
Hepatitis C transmits through contact with infected blood, such as sharing needles with an infected individual. Because it operates as a silent illness, carriers frequently experience zero symptoms until the later stages, and untreated cases can cause severe and potentially fatal liver damage. Data for England in 2024 estimates that approximately 50,200 adults are living with the virus, with 84.6% diagnosed—falling just short of the 90% benchmark.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The ability of the UK health service to drive treatment statistics this close to World Health Organization global benchmarks demonstrates the profound effectiveness of proactive screening campaigns and barrier-free home testing kits. Because the virus presents virtually no early physical symptoms, catching asymptomatic carriers early remains the single most critical strategy in breaking the transmission chain nationwide.
Prof Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director, stated that England now leads the world in eradicating the condition and remains on path to surpass the WHO 2030 targets, emphasizing a steadfast determination to maintain momentum.
"England is now leading the world in the mission to eliminate this disease and on course to beat the WHO's 2030 target, but we are determined to keep up the momentum and finish the job. We are committed to finding and treating everyone who needs support and would urge those at greater risk to come forward by ordering a free and confidential home-testing kit online."
Prof Frankie Swords
Adults born in Ukraine, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Albania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Czechia, or Slovakia are specifically urged to undergo screening, as some may have contracted infections through medical or dental procedures predating 1991. Citizens can order a free and confidential NHS self-testing kit online without consulting a general practitioner first.
Paul Eatwell, 65, stands as one of the more than 100,000 people in England who received successful treatment after discovering his infection through a routine blood test. He noted that the medical support provided transformed his outcome, though the exact origin remains unconfirmed, with decades-old surgery in South Africa suspected as the potential cause.
Source: BBC Health
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