Full Breakdown
England Nears Hepatitis C Elimination, but Mortality Goal Remains Unmet
8/11/2026, 9:35:22 PM
Core Progress
England has treated more than 100,000 people for hepatitis C since the NHS introduced modern antivirals in 2015. The 8- to 12-week courses cure over 95 % of infections and have met the WHO benchmark of treating 80 % of known cases. Deaths linked to the virus have fallen 36 % over the past decade, and the adult prevalence is estimated at 50,200 in 2024. The WHO target of a 65 % reduction in hepatitis-C mortality compared with 2015 levels has not yet been reached.
Background & Context
Hepatitis C spreads through contact with infected blood. The UK’s historic contaminated-blood scandal (1970-1991) infected more than 30,000 people; about 3,000 have died. Since 2015, NHS England has expanded testing via emergency-department blood draws, GP screening for pre-1996 transfusions, and a free home-testing kit ordered online. These measures target high-risk groups such as people who inject drugs, tattoo recipients, and migrants from several Eastern-European countries.
Data & Statistics
- Treatments since 2015: > 100,000 (BBC, The Pharmacist)
- Current prevalence (2024): ~ 50,200 adults (BBC, The Pharmacist)
- Diagnosis rate: 84.6 % diagnosed, short of the 90 % target
- Mortality reduction: 36 % decline over ten years (BBC, The Pharmacist)
- Testing outcomes: 1,900 previously undiagnosed cases identified through emergency-department testing since 2022
Official Statements & Responses
- Yvette Cooper, secretary of state for health and social care: The NHS has turned hepatitis C into a curable condition for the vast majority, positioning England among the few countries to surpass the WHO treatment benchmark.
- Dr Sema Mandal, deputy director, UK Health Security Agency: Expanded testing and sustained access to curative treatments have driven the sharp fall in cases since 2015.
- Rachel Halford, CEO, The Hepatitis C Trust: Continued funding is essential to maintain momentum and reach the remaining undiagnosed and untreated individuals.
On-the-Ground Report
Paul Eatwell, 65, from Blackburn, was diagnosed after a routine blood test. He recalled, “My first reaction was disbelief. I remember saying: ‘Are you sure? Surely there’s been some mistake.’” He now urges others at risk to use the free home-testing service.
Verbatim Quotes
- “England is now leading the world in the mission to eliminate this disease and on course to beat the WHO's 2030 target, but we are determined to keep up the momentum and finish the job.” — Prof Frankie Swords, national medical director
Future Outlook
England is on track to meet the WHO 2030 treatment target, but further effort is needed to achieve the mortality reduction goal. Ongoing public-health campaigns, expanded testing, and sustained investment are cited as critical to closing the remaining gap.
*Report compiled from BBC, The Pharmacist, and AZERTAC sources; specific date referenced: August 11.*
