Hepatitis: WHO publishes warning over rise in global deaths

Urgent action is required to reverse the rising number of global deaths from viral hepatitis, the World Health Organization has warned.WHO’s 2024 global hepatitis report1 estimates that 1.3 million people died from viral hepatitis in 2022 compared with 1.1 million in 2019. In 2022, 83% of those deaths were caused by hepatitis B and 17% by hepatitis C.Despite better tools for diagnosis and treatment and decreasing prices of drugs to treat the disease, testing and treatment coverage rates have stalled, the report said.WHO said its goal to eliminate the disease by 2030 was still achievable, but only if actions are taken now.WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “This report paints a troubling picture: despite progress in preventing hepatitis infections, deaths are rising because far too few people with hepatitis are being diagnosed and treated. WHO is committed to supporting countries to use all the tools at their disposal to…
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