April 2026- World Health Organization has reported notable progress in reducing viral hepatitis infections and deaths worldwide, though the disease continues to remain a major global health challenge, according to its new report released at the World Hepatitis Summit.
The report states that viral hepatitis B and C, which account for 95% of hepatitis-related deaths globally, caused 1.34 million deaths in 2024. At the same time, transmission remains high, with more than 4,900 new infections recorded every day, totaling around 1.8 million annually.
According to the 2026 Global Hepatitis Report, annual new hepatitis B infections have declined by 32% since 2015, while hepatitis C-related deaths have fallen by 12% globally. Hepatitis B prevalence among children under five has also dropped to 0.6%, with 85 countries reaching or exceeding the 2030 target of 0.1%.
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WHO said these improvements reflect sustained global and national efforts following the adoption of viral hepatitis elimination targets by Member States at the World Health Assembly in 2016. However, the report also warns that the current pace of progress is not enough to meet all 2030 elimination goals, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen prevention, testing, and treatment worldwide.
“Around the world, countries are showing that eliminating hepatitis is not a pipedream, it’s possible with sustained political commitment, backed by reliable domestic financing,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “At the same time, this report shows that progress is too slow and uneven. Many people remain undiagnosed and untreated due to stigma, weak health systems and inequitable access to care. While we have the tools to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat, urgent scale-up of prevention, diagnosis and treatment is needed if the world is to meet the 2030 targets.”
“The data shows that progress is possible but also reveals where we are falling short. Every missed diagnosis and untreated infection due to chronic viral hepatitis represents a preventable death,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director, WHO Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections. “Countries must move faster to integrate hepatitis services for people living with hepatitis B and C into primary care, and to reach the communities most affected.”
