- England is “on the cusp” of becoming one of the first countries globally to eradicate hepatitis C, according to health officials.
- NHS England said that since 2015, over 100,000 people have been diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C, while there has been a 36 per cent decrease in the number of deaths associated with the virus over the past decade.
- It comes as efforts such as A&E blood tests, GP and free home test kits have helped identify previously undiagnosed individuals.
- Antiviral drug courses lasting eight to 12 weeks are effective, curing more than 95 per cent of cases.
- Professor Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director, said: “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.”
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