WHO report: Hepatitis progress insufficient to meet 2030 elimination targets
A new World Health Organization report released at the World Hepatitis Summit documents both gains and shortfalls in the global fight against viral hepatitis. The report estimates that hepatitis B and C caused 1.34 million deaths in 2024, with more than 4900 new infections occurring each day. Since 2015, new hepatitis B infections have fallen by 32% and hepatitis C deaths have dropped by 12%, while the prevalence of hepatitis B among children under five has decreased to 0.6%. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that elimination is possible with sustained political commitment and domestic financing, but that progress is too slow and uneven, with many people remaining undiagnosed and untreated. The report notes that 287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B or C infection in 2024, yet fewer than 5% of those with hepatitis B and only 20% of those with hepatitis C have received treatment. WHO officials stressed that proven tools, including effective vaccines and curative therapies, exist but must be scaled up, particularly in the African and Western Pacific regions.
What’s reported
Viral hepatitis B and C claimed 1.34 million lives in 2024.
More than 4900 new infections occur daily, totaling 1.8 million per year.
Since 2015, new hepatitis B infections dropped by 32% and hepatitis C deaths dropped by 12%.
Hepatitis B prevalence in children under five is 0.6%, with 85 countries reaching the 0.1% target.
287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B or C in 2024.
In 2024, 0.9 million new hepatitis B infections occurred (68% in the African Region); 0.9 million new hepatitis C infections (44% in people who inject drugs).
Fewer than 5% of the 240 million people with chronic hepatitis B received treatment; only 20% of hepatitis C patients have been treated since 2015.
1.1 million died from hepatitis B and 240,000 from hepatitis C in 2024.
Ten countries accounted for 69% of hepatitis B deaths and 58% of hepatitis C deaths.
Available tools: hepatitis B vaccine >95% effective, antiviral treatment for B, 8–12 week curative therapy for C (>95% cure rate).
Priority actions include scaling up treatment, improving birth-dose vaccination, and strengthening harm reduction services.
Key figures
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director, WHO Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sources: World Health Organization
