According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Hepatitis Report 2024, released on 9 April 2024, India is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of viral hepatitis disease. According to the report, around 2.9 crore Indians were infected with hepatitis B infection and 0.55 crore with hepatitis C.
The WHO released the report during the World Hepatitis Summit, which was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 9 to 11 April 2024. WHO has set a target of eliminating Hepatitis worldwide by 2030.
The WHO report suggests that with better awareness, vaccination and healthcare, the target of eliminating hepatitis by 2030 can be achieved.
According to WHO, in 2022, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis were the second leading causes of death among infectious diseases in 2022, after COVID-19.
Death due to viral hepatitis - An estimated 1.3 million people in 187 countries died due to viral hepatitis in 2022, as compared to 1.1 million. 83% of the deaths were due to Hepatitis B, while 17% were killed by hepatitis C.
Fresh infection declines - In 2022, 2.22 million were freshly infected by viral hepatitis, as compared to 2.5 million in 2019. Of the 2.2 million new infections, 1.2 million were infected with hepatitis B, and nearly 1.0 million were infected with hepatitis C.
Number of people infected worldwide- Overall, about 304 million people were living with viral hepatitis B and C in 2022. An estimated 254 million were living with hepatitis B, and 50 million were living with hepatitis C.
Age Group of infected person- Half the people infected with chronic hepatitis B and C infection are among people in the 30–54 years group, and men account for 58% of all cases.
West Africa Region leads the new infection case - Of the total newly reported viral hepatitis B infections, most cases were reported from the West African Region. 63% of the fresh cases were reported for this region.
Most hepatitis B deaths in the Western Pacific Region - The Western Pacific Region accounts for 47% of hepatitis B-related deaths.
Highest Hepatitis Cases in the World - The highest cases of hepatitis cases were reported from China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, the Philippines, and the Russian Federation.
Highest cases of Hepatitis B - 50% of the global hepatitis B cases in 2022 were reported from China, India, and Indonesia, followed by Nigeria, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Philippines, and Pakistan.
Highest cases of Hepatitis C- Around 50% of the world's hepatitis C were reported from China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, and the US.
The WHO was set up on 7 April 1948 as an agency of the United Nations.
Members: 194 countries
Director General of WHO: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (since May 2017).
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
The foundation day of the WHO, April 7, is observed as the World Health Day.