The world can prevent more than 15 million hepatitis C infections globally over the next decade – but the task could be challenging for some countries, experts have reported.
A successful programme would prevent one and a half million deaths from cirrhosis and liver cancer by 2030, according to the analysis in The Lancet.
The researchers call for improved screening and prevention interventions such as comprehensive blood safety and infection control measures in all countries.
They point out that in most countries the main cause of transmission is injecting drug use. In some countries with weak health systems, blood transfusions and unsafe healthcare related injections continue to be a risk, they say.
To achieve maximum reductions in mortality from the virus, expanded access to direct acting antivirals is necessary, they say.
Huge progress could be made by success in four countries – China, India, Pakistan and Egypt, they say.
Lead researcher Professor Alastair Heffernan, of Imperial College London, UK, said: "Even though it narrowly falls short of the WHO targets for 2030, the impact our estimates suggest would be a tremendous stride forwards.
"Eliminating hepatitis C virus is an extremely challenging aim that requires improved prevention interventions and screening. Across the globe, these options are currently well below the levels we estimate are needed to have a major impact on the epidemic. Research into how to improve this in all settings, as well as increased funding, will be needed if we are to reach these targets."
Scaling up prevention and treatment towards the elimination of hepatitis C: a global mathematical model. Lancet 28 January 2019
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32277-3/fulltext
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