The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on governments and global partners to intensify efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat, following the classification of hepatitis D as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the appeal in a message commemorating the 2026 World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on July 28.
According to him, this year’s campaign, themed “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” highlights the urgent need to address the increasing burden of liver cancer caused by chronic hepatitis infections while tackling obstacles such as stigma, inadequate funding, and limited access to testing and treatment.
Tedros noted that hepatitis-related complications claim a life every 30 seconds despite the availability of effective prevention and treatment tools.
He explained that viral hepatitis comprises five major types—A, B, C, D and E—but only hepatitis B, C and D can become chronic infections, significantly increasing the risk of liver cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.
He said more than 300 million people worldwide are living with hepatitis B, C or D, while over 1.3 million people die annually from liver cirrhosis and liver cancer linked to these infections. He added that many infected individuals remain unaware of their condition.
The WHO chief further disclosed that IARC has now classified hepatitis D as carcinogenic to humans, placing it alongside hepatitis B and C. He explained that hepatitis D affects only people already infected with hepatitis B and raises the risk of developing liver cancer by two to six times compared with hepatitis B infection alone.
To commemorate this year’s World Hepatitis Day, WHO is collaborating with Rotary International and the World Hepatitis Alliance to strengthen advocacy efforts at both global and local levels.
WHO’s incoming Director of Science for Health, Meg Doherty, said the organisation issued updated guidelines on hepatitis B and D testing and diagnosis in 2024 and continues to monitor the effectiveness of emerging treatments for hepatitis D.
She added that many low- and middle-income countries now have national hepatitis strategies in place, with steady improvements in their responses to the disease.
According to WHO, the number of countries reporting national hepatitis action plans increased from 59 to 123 by 2025.
The agency also said 129 countries had adopted policies for hepatitis B testing during pregnancy by 2025, compared with 106 a year earlier. In addition, 147 countries have introduced hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination, up from 138 in 2022.
Despite the progress, WHO said major gaps remain in prevention, diagnosis and treatment coverage, as highlighted in its 2024 Global Hepatitis Report.
The organisation stressed that expanding access to prevention, testing and treatment is critical to achieving its 2030 elimination targets, which it estimates could save 2.8 million lives and prevent 9.8 million new hepatitis infections.
WHO also urged countries to increase domestic investment in hepatitis programmes, strengthen integrated healthcare services, improve data systems, ensure access to affordable medicines and combat stigma, particularly as international donor support continues to decline.
(NAN)
WHO Urges Faster Action Against Hepatitis as IARC Classifies Hepatitis D as Cancer-Causing
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