England set to eliminate hepatitis C

England is on track to eliminate hepatitis C, NHS England reports, citing progress since 2015 in diagnosis and treatment. The virus spreads through contact with infected blood, most commonly by sharing needles with someone who carries it. Donor blood is already screened for the infection. Hepatitis C often remains silent, with many people experiencing no symptoms until significant liver damage has occurred. Left untreated, it can lead to severe, potentially life‑threatening liver disease. Since 2015, more than 100,000 individuals in England have been diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C, a figure NHS England says shows the nation is already meeting its treatment target. A separate goal—a 65% reduction in hepatitis C‑related mortality compared with 2015 levels—has not yet been reached, but officials believe it could be achieved ahead of the 2030 deadline. According to 2024 figures, approximately 50,200 adults in England are living with hepatitis C. Estimates indicate that 84.6% of those individuals have been diagnosed, falling just short of the 90% benchmark. The Hepatitis C Trust described the situation as a historic milestone, stating England is "on the cusp" of 1 of the astir important nationalist wellness achievements successful our country's history. Prof Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director, added: "England is present starring the satellite successful the ngo to destruct this illness and connected people to bushed the WHO's 2030 target, but we are determined to support up the momentum and decorativeness the job." He also urged at‑risk groups to act: "We are committed to uncovering and treating everyone who needs enactment and would impulse those astatine greater hazard to travel guardant by ordering a escaped and confidential home-testing kit online." Adults born in Ukraine, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Albania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Czechia or Slovakia are especially encouraged to test, as some may have contracted the virus through medical or dental procedures before 1991. Anyone can request a free, confidential NHS home self‑testing kit at https://hepctest.nhs.uk/ without first consulting a GP.