England Is About To Eliminate Hepatitis C — And It Could Be One Of The First Countries In The World To Do It

England is about to make medical history — and honestly, we need some good news like this right now.

The country is on track to become one of the first in the world to eliminate hepatitis C, a dangerous liver virus that has killed thousands and silently infected even more, according to NHS England.

And the numbers? They're genuinely incredible.

The Breakthrough Moment

Since 2015, more than 100,000 people have been diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C across England. That means the NHS has already hit its target of treating 80% of all known cases.

Even more impressive: deaths from the virus have fallen by 36% in the last decade, just short of the 65% reduction goal needed by 2030 — but experts say they're confident that target will be met too.

The Hepatitis C Trust says England is "on the cusp" of one of the most significant public health achievements in the country's history. Prof Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director, told the BBC: "England is now leading the world in the mission to eliminate this disease."

Leading. The. World. Yes, really.

Why This Is Such A Big Deal

Hepatitis C is what doctors call a "silent disease" — people often have no symptoms until much later, when the virus has already done serious damage to their liver.

It spreads through contact with infected blood, like sharing needles, though donor blood is now screened for it. Untreated, it can cause life-threatening liver damage.

But here's the game-changer: taking antiviral tablets for just 8 to 12 weeks can cure more than 95% of cases. The treatment exists, it works, and the NHS has been making sure people can access it.

Around 50,200 adults are currently living with hepatitis C in England, and about 84.6% of them have been diagnosed — just shy of the 90% target.

How They're Finding People

The NHS has gotten creative about tracking down undiagnosed cases. We're talking A&E blood tests, GP registration testing, and free at-home test kits that you can order without even speaking to a doctor.

Adults born in Ukraine, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Albania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Czechia or Slovakia are particularly urged to test, as some may have been infected through medical or dental procedures before 1991.

Paul Eatwell, a 65-year-old grandfather from Blackburn, was one of the success stories. He was diagnosed after a routine blood test and says his first reaction was disbelief: "I didn't feel ill. I kept wondering how I could possibly have caught it."

While it hasn't been confirmed, doctors suggested surgery he had in South Africa decades ago may have been the cause. After treatment, he's now cured.

What Happens Next

The goal is to beat the World Health Organization's 2030 target for elimination — and England is already ahead of schedule.

Prof Swords added: "We are determined to keep up the momentum and finish the job. We are committed to finding and treating everyone who needs support."

The NHS is urging anyone at greater risk to come forward and order a free, confidential home-testing kit online. No GP appointment needed, completely private, and it could literally save your life.

In a year that's brought heatwaves, droughts, and plenty of bad news, this is the kind of public health win we desperately needed to hear about.

Do you know anyone who's been affected by hepatitis C? Let us know in the comments.

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Sources:

• BBC News: England set to eliminate hepatitis C