WHO Has Classified Hepatitis D As Cancer-Causing, Like Hepatitis B And C

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Hepatitis D is an incompetent virus that requires hepatitis B virus (HBV) for replication.

This means hepatitis D only affects people who already have hepatitis B either simultaneously or sequentially.

About Hepatitis Virus

Viral hepatitis (types A, B, C, D, and E) are major causes of acute liver infection.
However, only hepatitis B, C, and D can lead to chronic infections with a higher risk of liver cirrhosis, failure or cancer.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the top 10 cancers globally.
Vaccine Availability
- There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C virus.
- Hepatitis B vaccines provides protection from HDV infection.
Global Impact
- Hepatitis types B, C, and D affect over 300 million people worldwide and cause 1.3 million deaths.
- Most people with these infections remain undiagnosed.
Key Initiatives
- India: National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (2018) aims to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030 and reduce deaths from other types, in line with SDG 3.3.
- Global: WHO’s Global Health Sector Strategy on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (2022–2030) aims to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health problem.

Low Diagnosis: Only 13% of Hepatitis B and 36% of Hepatitis C cases were diagnosed in 2022.
Poor Vaccine Coverage: In India, despite being in the immunisation program, Hepatitis B vaccine coverage is just 50%.
Limited Treatment: Few approved therapies, though new drugs like bulevirtide offer hope.