WHO Declares Hepatitis D Carcinogenic, Calls For Urgent Global Action.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that hepatitis D has been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), joining hepatitis B and C as major causes of liver cancer. The declaration, made on World Hepatitis Day, 28 July 2025, underscores the urgent need for global action to combat viral hepatitis, which claims over 1.3 million lives annually.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighted the severity of the crisis, stating, “Every 30 seconds, someone dies from a hepatitis-related severe liver disease or liver cancer. Yet we have the tools to stop hepatitis.” Hepatitis D, which only affects individuals already infected with hepatitis B, increases the risk of liver cancer by two to six times compared to hepatitis B alone. This reclassification marks a critical step in raising awareness and prioritising screening and treatment for the virus.
Viral hepatitis, encompassing types A, B, C, D, and E, affects over 300 million people globally, with hepatitis B, C, and D responsible for chronic infections that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Despite the availability of effective vaccines for hepatitis B, curative treatments for hepatitis C, and evolving therapies for hepatitis D, access to these interventions remains limited. According to WHO’s 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, only 13% of people with hepatitis B and 36% with hepatitis C had been diagnosed by 2022, with treatment rates even lower at 3% and 20%, respectively.
The WHO has called for accelerated efforts to integrate hepatitis services into national health systems, emphasising vaccination, testing, harm reduction, and treatment. New guidelines on testing and diagnosis for hepatitis B and D were published in 2024, and innovative treatments for hepatitis D are being closely monitored. Dr Meg Doherty, incoming Director of Science for Health at WHO, noted, “The full benefit of reducing liver cirrhosis and cancer deaths can only be realised through urgent action to scale up these services.”
To mark World Hepatitis Day, WHO partnered with Rotary International and the World Hepatitis Alliance for a global campaign themed “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down.” The initiative aims to confront the rising toll of liver cancer linked to chronic hepatitis infections and dismantle barriers such as stigma, funding gaps, and limited access to care. A joint webinar highlighted the critical role of civil society, governments, and communities in sustaining momentum towards the WHO’s 2030 elimination targets, which could save 2.8 million lives and prevent 9.8 million new infections.
The burden of viral hepatitis varies by region, with the WHO African Region accounting for 63% of new hepatitis B infections, yet only 18% of newborns receive the hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination. In the Western Pacific Region, which sees 47% of hepatitis B deaths, treatment coverage among diagnosed individuals is just 23%. Countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, and India bear a significant share of the global hepatitis burden, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.
Despite the availability of affordable generic medicines, many countries face challenges with high costs and centralised service delivery, leading to out-of-pocket expenses for patients. For instance, tenofovir for hepatitis B treatment is available at a global benchmark price of $2.4 per month, yet only seven of 26 reporting countries paid at or below this rate. Similarly, a 12-week course of hepatitis C treatment costs $60 globally, but only four of 24 countries accessed it at this price.
Posts on X reflect growing public awareness, with users noting the carcinogenic classification of hepatitis D and urging action to address the global crisis. The WHO’s call to action serves as a reminder that with concerted efforts, a hepatitis-free future is achievable, but it requires immediate investment, policy reform, and global cooperation to prevent millions of avoidable deaths.
