A recent report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded an alarm regarding the staggering global toll of viral hepatitis infections. Viral hepatitis, a group of communicable diseases that can lead to liver inflammation, damage, and cancer, has emerged as the second leading infectious cause of death worldwide, according to the WHO’s 2024 Global Hepatitis Report.
The report highlights a concerning trend, indicating that the number of deaths attributed to viral hepatitis across 187 countries has surged from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022. Shockingly, a staggering 83 percent of these fatalities are attributed to hepatitis B, with the remaining 17 percent linked to hepatitis C. Each day, an alarming 3,500 lives are lost globally due to hepatitis B and C infections.
Global Impact: India Among Top 10 Contributors Among the report’s alarming statistics is the revelation that India ranks among the top 10 countries contributing to two-thirds of the global burden of hepatitis B and C cases. With a staggering total of 35 million cases, India accounts for 11.6 percent of the global disease burden as of 2022.
Dire Situation and WHO Response In response to the findings, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has characterized the report’s revelations as painting a “troubling picture.” Dr. Tedros emphasized, “Despite global progress in preventing hepatitis infections, deaths are on the rise due to insufficient diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis cases.”
Aside from India, countries such as Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, and Vietnam collectively shoulder the bulk of the global burden of hepatitis B and C cases. While WHO’s goal for viral hepatitis elimination is set for 2030, it aims to achieve universal access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in these ten countries by 2026.
Understanding Viral Hepatitis Hepatitis, characterized by liver inflammation, disrupts the organ’s vital functions, including detoxification, nutrient absorption, and blood filtration. While factors such as alcohol consumption, toxins, and certain medical conditions can trigger hepatitis, viral infections are the primary cause.
WHO Recommendations To combat the spread of hepatitis, WHO has outlined a comprehensive plan aiming to eradicate the viral hepatitis epidemic by 2030. Key strategies include expanding access to testing and diagnostics, ensuring equitable treatment, strengthening primary care prevention efforts, and leveraging data for informed action.
Challenges Ahead Despite these efforts, challenges persist, including limited funding, awareness of cost-effective interventions, and competing health priorities on the global agenda.
As the world grapples with the devastating impact of viral hepatitis, concerted efforts and global cooperation are essential to stem the tide of this silent epidemic and save millions of lives worldwide.
