Hepatitis claiming thousands of lives every day, WHO warns in new report

The number of lives lost due to viral hepatitis infections is increasing and already accounts for 3,500 deaths daily, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) released on Tuesday.

The disease is the second leading infectious cause of death globally, with 1.3 million deaths per year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2024 Global Hepatitis Report.

“Despite progress globally in preventing hepatitis infections, deaths are rising because far too few people with hepatitis are being diagnosed and treated,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The report highlights gaps in diagnosis and treatment, while urging strategies for countries to address these inequities and access the tools at the most affordable prices available.