England is poised to become one of the first nations globally to eliminate hepatitis C, a potentially life-threatening virus that attacks the liver, according to the latest health data. The country has already achieved the critical milestone of treating 80% of all known cases, and deaths from the virus have dropped by 36% over the past decade—a figure that is tantalizingly close to the 2030 target.
The cornerstone of this success is a simple, highly effective cure: antiviral tablets taken for just 8 to 12 weeks can clear the infection in more than 95% of patients. This medical breakthrough, combined with aggressive screening initiatives, has transformed what was once a chronic, debilitating condition into a manageable and often curable one.
NHS England credits a range of innovative outreach programs for finding individuals who were previously unaware of their infection. These include routine blood tests in emergency departments, testing during GP registration, and the distribution of free, confidential at-home test kits. These efforts have been instrumental in identifying thousands of silent carriers who might otherwise have gone undiagnosed for years.
Understanding the Silent Threat
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus, most commonly transmitted through the sharing of needles or other equipment used to inject drugs. It can also be spread through unsterile medical or dental procedures, blood transfusions before 1991 (when screening was introduced), or from mother to baby during childbirth.
The virus is often called a ‘silent disease’ because many people experience no symptoms for decades. When symptoms do appear, they can be vague—fatigue, mild abdominal pain, or nausea—and are frequently mistaken for other illnesses. This silent progression is why the virus is so dangerous: without treatment, it can cause chronic inflammation of the liver, leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually liver cancer or liver failure.
However, the outlook has changed dramatically. Since 2015, more than 100,000 people in England have been diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C, according to NHS England. This achievement means the country is already meeting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of treating 80% of known cases.
The Road to Elimination: Progress and Challenges
The WHO has set an ambitious goal to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030. This involves reducing new infections by 80% and deaths by 65% compared to 2015 levels. England is making remarkable progress, but the final steps require sustained effort.
While the treatment target has been met, the mortality reduction goal of 65% has not yet been reached. However, with the current trajectory, health officials are optimistic that this target will be achieved ahead of the 2030 deadline.
According to 2024 figures, approximately 50,200 adults in England are living with hepatitis C. Of these, an estimated 84.6% have been diagnosed—just shy of the 90% target set by WHO. The remaining undiagnosed individuals represent the biggest hurdle to full elimination.
The Hepatitis C Trust has hailed England’s progress, stating that the nation is ‘on the cusp of one of the most significant public health achievements in our country’s history.’ The charity emphasizes that continued vigilance and testing are essential to reach the final goal.
Expert Voices: A Global Leader
Prof Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director, underscored the significance of this achievement. “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,” she said.
“We are committed to finding and treating everyone who needs support and would urge those at greater risk to come forward by ordering a free and confidential home-testing kit online,” she added.
The NHS is particularly urging adults born in certain countries—including Ukraine, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Albania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Czechia, and Slovakia—to get tested. This is because some individuals may have been infected through medical or dental procedures in their home countries before 1991, when blood screening for hepatitis C was not universally practiced.
Personal Stories: The Human Impact of a Cure
Behind the statistics are real people whose lives have been transformed. Paul Eatwell, a 65-year-old grandfather from Blackburn, Lancashire, is one of them. He was diagnosed after a routine blood test.
“My first reaction was disbelief,” Paul recalls. “I remember saying: ‘Are you sure? Surely there’s been some mistake.’ I didn’t feel ill. I kept wondering how I could possibly have caught it.”
Paul believes he may have contracted the virus during surgery in South Africa decades ago, although the exact source has never been confirmed. He credits the medical support he received with making a huge difference. “The care I got was incredible,” he says. “From the initial diagnosis to the treatment and follow-up, the NHS was with me every step of the way. It’s a relief to know that this virus is no longer a shadow over my life.”
How to Get Tested
Testing for hepatitis C is simple, free, and confidential. Individuals can order a home self-testing kit online without needing to speak to a GP. The kit involves a small finger-prick blood sample, which is sent to a lab for analysis. Results are typically available within a few days, and if positive, treatment can be arranged quickly.
In addition to home tests, the NHS offers testing at various points of care, including:
- Emergency departments (A&E) for patients who meet certain criteria
- GP surgeries during routine registration or appointments
- Drug and alcohol services, as well as prisons and homeless shelters
The NHS is also working to expand testing in community settings, such as pharmacies and sexual health clinics, to reach even more people.
The Future: A World Without Hepatitis C
The progress in England is a testament to what can be achieved with a combination of medical innovation, public health investment, and community engagement. The availability of highly effective, well-tolerated treatments has revolutionized the field. Unlike older therapies that were lengthy and had severe side effects, modern antiviral drugs are taken as a short course of tablets and have minimal side effects.
Eliminating hepatitis C would not only save lives but also reduce the burden on the NHS. Treating the virus early prevents costly complications like liver transplantation and long-term management of chronic liver disease. It also reduces the risk of transmission, as cured individuals can no longer pass the virus to others.
While England is on track, the job is not yet done. The focus now is on finding the ‘missing thousands’—those who remain undiagnosed. This requires continued awareness campaigns, targeted outreach to high-risk groups, and making testing as easy and accessible as possible.
The message from health officials is clear: if you think you might be at risk, get tested. The test is quick, painless, and could save your life. With the tools and treatments available today, a hepatitis C-free England is within reach.
As Prof Swords put it, “We are determined to finish the job.” And with the current momentum, that finish line is looking closer than ever.
