England is approaching the status of becoming one of the first countries in the world to eliminate hepatitis C, health officials reported, according to The Independent. NHS England stated that the country belongs to a small group of nations that have already surpassed the World Health Organization benchmark of treating 80 percent of known cases. Deaths related to the virus have also dropped by 36 percent over the past decade.
Hepatitis C spreads through contact with infected blood. Many people show no symptoms, but the infection can cause liver failure and cancer if left untreated. A course of antiviral medications lasting 8 to 12 weeks cures more than 95 percent of cases.
Testing and global targets
Since 2015, more than 100,000 people have been diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C. England is participating in a global elimination program for the disease and is moving toward exceeding the World Health Organization target set for 2030. Global health leaders previously set a goal to eliminate viral hepatitis worldwide by 2030.
Targeted measures have helped identify individuals who were not previously diagnosed with the disease. These initiatives include blood tests in emergency departments, testing during registration with a family doctor, and free home testing kits.
In 2023, the Ministry of Defense reported an expanded list of individuals fit for wartime military service. Under the updated guidelines, people with viral hepatitis who have minor impairments can be added if they are determined to be fit on an individual basis.
