Key Summary
- UK Health Security Agency reports a sharp drop in Hepatitis C cases over the past decade.
- Fewer infections, especially among people who inject drugs, thanks to better testing and treatment.
- Experts stress the need for continued testing and support to keep cases falling.
The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) latest data reveal a significant drop of 61.1 per cent in chronic hepatitis C cases in nearly a decade.
Hepatitis C is a viral infection spread by blood-to-blood contact and is curable.
It leads to inflammation in the liver, which could potentially lead to fatal liver damage if left unattended.
In 2024, 50, 200 adults were identified with the condition, down from 129,000 in 2015.
People who inject drugs and use shared or re-used needles and syringes a at high risk.
However, in 2024, only 5.2 percent of people who inject drugs had hepatitis C, compared with 28.6 percent in 2015.
According to the UKHSA, improved testing initiatives and sustained access to curative direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment have helped in the positive decline.
However, reaching out to those who may be unaware of their status and strengthening harm reduction services is crucial to continue preventing new and re-infections.
“The sharp fall in cases since 2015 shows the impact of expanded testing and sustained access to modern curative treatments and the commitment of health services and community partners across England,” said Dr Monica Desai, head of the Hepatitis Section at the UKHSA.
“While the number of people living with the virus continues to decline, it remains vital that those most at risk are offered testing, can access life-saving treatments, and receive the support needed to prevent new infections,” she added.
The Hepatitis C Trust CEO Rachel Halford said, “We must continue testing and identifying those who remain undiagnosed, while also developing clear plans to sustain this progress and ensure it is maintained in the future.”
Health experts urge the public to make use of the free Hepatitis C testing through their GPs, sexual health clinics, genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics or drug treatment services, along with the option of finger-prick test at home to help the government improve the progress further.
