Hepatitis in the Western Pacific

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. There are five main types of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people globally, and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis. 

As of 2022, an estimated 96.8 million people in the Western Pacific are living with hepatitis B and 7.1 million with hepatitis C. While there are evidence-based, effective and safe interventions to diagnose, treat, and prevent chronic hepatitis B and C, most people remain undiagnosed and untreated.  

Hepatitis B and C infections lead to chronic liver disease in hundreds of millions of people. They are the most common causes of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.