Hepatitis can be caused by heavy alcohol consumption and some drugs, but it can also be caused by viruses that cause liver inflammation, jaundice, fever, and other symptoms. There are five main strains of the virus, some of which can be prevented by vaccination. His two strains of the virus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, cause long-term illness, and the majority of deaths are caused by her hepatitis B.
The number of deaths from the disease is on the rise, making viral hepatitis the second leading cause of death among non-new infectious diseases worldwide, the report said. The authors write that in 2022, the number of deaths from viral hepatitis worldwide will increase from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million. While the number of new infections has fallen during that time, the report says the world remains “off track” towards the WHO's reduction targets. By 2030, new hepatitis infections will be reduced by 90% and deaths by 65%.
Two-thirds of the global disease burden from viral hepatitis is concentrated in just 10 countries: China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Russia. The report suggests that inequalities in primary care, drug availability, testing and vaccination are contributing to these disparities.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a news release: “This report highlights an alarming situation: Despite global progress in preventing hepatitis infections, many people are still being diagnosed and treated for hepatitis. The number of deaths is increasing because there are too few cases.”
The report identifies funding challenges that may further limit progress. However, the WHO also concludes that a public health approach that expands equitable access to hepatitis interventions could help get the world back on track and eliminate hepatitis by the end of the decade.
