England on Track to Eliminate Hepatitis C, Deaths Down 36%

England is on track to become one of the first countries in the world to eliminate hepatitis C, a dangerous viral liver disease, new NHS figures show. The target of treating 80% of all known cases has already been met, and deaths from the virus have fallen by 36% over the past decade — just short of the 65% reduction needed by the WHO's 2030 deadline.

Scale of Progress

Since 2015, more than 100,000 people have been diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C in England. Around 50,200 adults are currently living with the virus, with 84.6% of those infected having been diagnosed — just below the 90% target. Taking antiviral tablets for eight to twelve weeks can cure over 95% of cases.

How Patients Were Found

Initiatives including A&E blood tests, GP registration testing and free at-home testing kits helped detect thousands of previously undiagnosed cases. Hepatitis C is a silent disease — most people have no symptoms until serious liver damage has already occurred. It spreads through blood-to-blood contact, most commonly through needle sharing. All donor blood is already screened.

Experts Respond

The Hepatitis C Trust said England is "on the cusp" of one of the most significant public health achievements in the country's history. Prof Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director, added: "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."