England is on track to become one of the first countries in the world to eliminate hepatitis C, a virus that attacks the liver, figures show. The target of treating 80% of all known cases has already been met, and deaths from the virus have fallen by 36% in the last decade. Initiatives including A&E blood tests, GP registration testing and free at-home tests have helped to find people who were previously undiagnosed, says NHS England.
England on Track to Eliminate Hepatitis C
UKPulse Health DeskFigures show England is on track to become one of the first countries in the world to eliminate hepatitis C, a virus that attacks the liver.
- England has already met the target of treating 80% of all known cases of hepatitis C.
- Deaths from the virus have fallen by 36% in the last decade.
Why this matters: The achievement could be one of the most significant public health achievements in England's history.
What this means for you: If you are at risk of hepatitis C, you can order a free and confidential NHS home self-testing kit without needing to speak to a GP.