Hepatitis D Carcinogenic: WHO Calls for Urgent Action
hepatitis D Reclassification Signals Urgent Call for Action Amidst Rising Liver Cancer Risk
Geneva – The World Health Association (WHO) has officially reclassified Hepatitis D (HDV) as a distinct disease, a move that underscores its significant threat and the urgent need for enhanced global efforts in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.This reclassification highlights the heightened risk of liver cancer associated with HDV, which affects individuals already infected with Hepatitis B (HBV).
Hepatitis D, which exclusively infects those with Hepatitis B, carries a two- to six-fold higher risk of developing liver cancer compared to HBV infection alone. This critical reclassification is a pivotal step in global initiatives aimed at raising awareness, improving screening protocols, and expanding access to novel treatments for Hepatitis D.”WHO has published guidelines on testing and diagnosis of Hepatitis B and D in 2024 and is actively following the clinical outcomes from innovative treatments for hepatitis D,” stated Dr. Meg Doherty, incoming Director of Science for Health at WHO.
While Hepatitis C can be cured within two to three months with oral medication and Hepatitis B can be effectively managed with lifelong therapy, treatment options for Hepatitis D are still evolving. However, the full potential of reducing liver cirrhosis and cancer-related deaths can only be realized through immediate, scaled-up action. This includes integrating hepatitis services-such as vaccination, testing, harm reduction, and treatment-into national health systems.
Progress and Persistent Gaps in Hepatitis Response
Encouragingly, a majority of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have established strategic plans for hepatitis. Progress in national hepatitis responses is also on an upward trajectory:
In 2025, the number of countries reporting national hepatitis action plans surged from 59 to 123.
As of 2025, 129 countries have adopted policies for Hepatitis B testing among pregnant women, an increase from 106 reported in 2024.
147 countries have introduced the Hepatitis B birth dose vaccination,up from 138 in 2022.
Despite these advancements, critical gaps in service coverage and outcomes persist, as detailed in the 2024 Global Hepatitis Report:
Testing and Treatment Coverage Remains Critically Low: By 2022, only 13% of individuals with Hepatitis B and 36% with Hepatitis C had been diagnosed.
Treatment Rates Lag Significantly: Treatment rates were even lower, with only 3% for Hepatitis B and 20% for Hepatitis C receiving treatment, falling far short of the 2025 targets of 60% diagnosed and 50% treated.
Uneven Integration of Services: While 80 countries have incorporated hepatitis services into primary healthcare and 128 into HIV programs, only 27 have integrated Hepatitis C services into harm reduction centers.
The next significant challenge lies in scaling up the implementation of prevention,testing,and treatment coverage. Achieving WHO’s 2030 targets could prevent 9.8 million new infections and save 2.8 million lives. With declining donor support, countries must prioritize domestic investment, integrated service delivery, improved data collection, affordable medicines, and concerted efforts to end stigma.
Forging new Partnerships to Combat Hepatitis
In observance of World Hepatitis Day, the WHO is collaborating with Rotary International and the World Hepatitis Alliance to bolster global and local advocacy efforts. This year’s campaign, “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down,” calls for decisive action to address the escalating burden of liver cancer linked to chronic hepatitis infections. It also urges concrete steps to dismantle persistent barriers, including stigma and funding shortfalls, which continue to impede progress in prevention, testing, and treatment.
Through a joint global webinar and coordinated outreach, this partnership emphasizes the indispensable role of civil society and community leadership, working alongside governments, in sustaining momentum and accelerating the journey toward hepatitis elimination.