As part of its World Hepatitis Day campaign, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning: Hepatitis D—a viral infection that occurs only in individuals already infected with Hepatitis B—has now been officially classified as carcinogenic to humans, dramatically increasing the urgency of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat.

A New Classification with Serious Implications

The reclassification of Hepatitis D as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) signals its strong link to liver cancer, with data showing it poses a 2–6 times higher risk of cancer development compared to Hepatitis B infection alone. WHO hopes this recognition will accelerate efforts in screening, diagnosis, and treatment development.

“Every 30 seconds, someone dies from liver cancer or severe liver disease caused by hepatitis,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Yet we have the tools to stop hepatitis and save lives.”

Staggering Global Impact

Viral hepatitis types B, C, and D account for over 300 million chronic infections globally and cause 1.3 million deaths annually, primarily due to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Despite this, most infections remain undiagnosed and untreated.

According to WHO’s 2022 data:

• Only 13% of people with Hepatitis B and 36% with Hepatitis C had been diagnosed.
• Treatment rates are critically low at 3% for Hepatitis B and 20% for Hepatitis C.
  These numbers fall far short of WHO’s 2025 targets: 60% diagnosed and 50% treated.

Urgent Gaps in Care and Prevention

While 123 countries have now developed national hepatitis strategies, and 147 have implemented a hepatitis B birth dose vaccine, significant disparities remain:

• Only 80 countries have integrated hepatitis into primary health care.
• 128 include it in HIV programs, while just 27 have incorporated services into harm reduction centres.

Dr. Meg Doherty, WHO’s incoming science director for health, emphasized that newly issued 2024 guidelines on hepatitis B and D testing and clinical studies on innovative Hepatitis D treatments are part of the response. But much more is needed.

A Race Against Time: The 2030 Elimination Target

Without bold action—including domestic investment, affordable access to medication, and better integration of services—WHO warns that the 2030 targets to eliminate viral hepatitis are at risk. Success would mean:

• 2.8 million lives saved
• 9.8 million new infections prevented

To mobilize public awareness and political will, WHO has launched this year’s campaign, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” in partnership with Rotary International and the World Hepatitis Alliance. The campaign focuses on breaking down stigma, closing funding gaps, and empowering community leadership to lead the charge.

What’s Next?

With Hepatitis D now officially labeled a cancer-causing agent, health authorities are being urged to scale up testing, prioritize early diagnosis, and expand access to treatment, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the disease burden is highest.

The message from WHO is clear: the world cannot afford to treat hepatitis as a silent epidemic any longer. Action taken today will determine whether hepatitis continues to kill—or becomes a disease of the past.