More than 6,000 people a day are infected with viral hepatitis and progress in fighting the disease has stalled, according to a report World Health Organization which was recently released.

Although hepatitis can be caused by heavy alcohol use and certain drugs, it can also be triggered by a virus that causes inflammation of the liver, jaundice, fever, and other symptoms.

There are five main strains of the virus and some types can be prevented by vaccination. Two strains of the virus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, lead to long-term disease, with hepatitis B causing the vast majority of deaths.

Deaths from the disease are increasing, the report notes, making viral hepatitis the second leading cause of death among noncommunicable diseases worldwide.

In 2022, the report’s authors write, deaths from viral hepatitis increased to 1.3 million worldwide, up from 1.1 million in 2019. Although new cases declined during that period, the report points out that the WHO target of reducing new hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths by 65% ​​by 2030 has not been met.

Two-thirds of the global burden of viral hepatitis falls on just 10 countries: China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, the Philippines and Russia. Disparities in primary care, drug availability, testing and vaccination drive these disparities, according to the report.

“This report paints a disturbing picture: despite progress made worldwide in preventing hepatitis infections, deaths are increasing because too few people with hepatitis are diagnosed and treated,” said the WHO Director-General.