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WHO Has Classified Hepatitis D As Cancer-Causing, Like Hepatitis B And C | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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WHO Has Classified Hepatitis D As Cancer-Causing, Like Hepatitis B And C

Posted 06 Aug 2025

2 min read

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

An image showing details of different types of Hepatitis
  • 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.

Key Challenges in Tackling Hepatitis

  • 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.
  • Tags :
  • Hepatitis
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