England on track to eliminate hepatitis C, health officials say

Public health authorities in England are closing in on a milestone that few nations have achieved – the elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat. Recent figures released by the Department of Health and Social Care indicate that the country is on schedule to meet the World Health Organization’s 2030 goal of reducing new infections and related deaths by 90 percent.

Since the introduction of highly effective direct‑acting antiviral medicines a decade ago, the number of people living with chronic hepatitis C in England has fallen sharply. Nationwide screening programmes, particularly in prisons and drug‑treatment services, have expanded access to testing, while the NHS has streamlined pathways to ensure that diagnosed individuals receive treatment promptly. As a result, the annual incidence of new infections has dropped to historic lows, and mortality linked to the disease continues to decline.

Health Minister Wes Streeting highlighted the importance of sustained investment, noting that the current trajectory depends on continued funding for outreach, testing, and the provision of medication. “We have shown that with the right resources, hepatitis C can be brought under control,” he said in a recent briefing. The government also plans to maintain surveillance systems to monitor any resurgence and to support high‑risk groups, including people who inject drugs.

Experts caution that while England’s progress is encouraging, the final steps will require vigilance. Maintaining low infection rates will involve ongoing public‑health education, harm‑reduction services, and ensuring that any gaps in treatment access are closed. If the current trends hold, England could become one of the first countries worldwide to declare hepatitis C eliminated.

Original reporting: BBC News.