Hepatitis viruses still cause 3,500 deaths a day and the figure is rising, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a report on Tuesday, calling for “rapid action” to reverse the trend.
The study, published at the World Hepatitis Summit in Lisbon, with new data from 187 countries, shows that the estimated number of deaths from viral hepatitis has increased from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022.
It’s a “worrying trend,” Meg Doherty, director of WHO’s department of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), told a news conference.
Viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D or E), which causes liver inflammation and in some cases deterioration, continues to be the second infectious disease with the highest mortality rate, according to the UN health agency. the same incidence rate of tuberculosis and only lags behind Covid-19.
A total of 3,500 people worldwide die every day due to infection with the virus, with type B being the deadliest (responsible for 83% of deaths), followed by C (17% of deaths).
According to updated WHO estimates, in 2022, 254 million people were living with hepatitis B and 50 million with hepatitis C.
Across all regions, by the end of 2022, only 3% of people with chronic hepatitis B infection were receiving antiviral treatment, compared with 20% for hepatitis C.
“These results are significantly below global targets to treat 80% of patients with chronic hepatitis B and C by 2030,” Meg Doherty said.
The new data shows a slight improvement on 2019 figures, but “despite progress made worldwide in prevention (…), deaths have increased because very few people with hepatitis are diagnosed and treated,” it said director of WHO. – General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, quoted in the statement.
The WHO regrets that many countries are unable to obtain affordable generic medicines and calls for “swift action” to change the situation, such as expanding access to tests and diagnostics.
Meg Doherty said there was a need to integrate viral hepatitis services into existing HIV treatment programs “to reach key populations” and recalled the importance of strengthening viral hepatitis prevention in newborns and those at risk of mother-to-child transmission (during pregnancy). . ) from hepatitis B.
The World Hepatitis Summit runs until Thursday.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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