More than 100,000 people in England have now been tested for hepatitis C through the NHS’s confidential home testing service, in a major milestone towards eliminating the virus as a public health threat.
England is one of the few countries in the world on track to eliminate hepatitis C well before the World Health Organization’s 2030 target, thanks to concerted action by the NHS, public health teams and charities.
The latest figures show that 105,998 people have ordered an at-home NHS hepatitis C test, since the portal launched in May 2023. Around 225 people have been saved from the deadly virus thanks to NHS treatment, after testing positive through the scheme.
The virus, which can lead to liver failure and cancer if left untreated, can be cured in more than nine out of 10 cases with a short course of antiviral tablets. Many people infected have no symptoms for years, meaning targeted testing is vital to find and treat hidden cases. The image above shows hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with liver cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis C infection (haematoxylin and eosin [H&E] staining).
Analysis of the testing data reveals that 70% of all positive cases have come from the most deprived half of the population – underlining the importance of targeted outreach to address health inequalities. Positivity rates are highest among 40-44 and 45-49 year-olds (both 0.81%), followed by those aged 35-39 (0.6%).
The most common risk factors reported by positive cases include injecting drug use, sharing needles and other drug paraphernalia, and a history of prison.
More than 130 people returned insufficient RNA results and were referred on for further testing through NHS Operational Delivery Networks, with some likely to have subsequently tested positive.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, said: “Reaching this milestone shows the NHS is firmly on track to eliminate hepatitis C in England ahead of the global target, saving more lives from preventable liver disease. As part of our commitment to the 10 Year Health Plan, we want to make it easier for people to access care before hidden viruses like hepatitis C cause people serious harm. The home testing service is available to everyone, and through targeted outreach to people at higher risk we are helping thousands avoid serious illness and reducing health inequalities in the process.
The home testing portal is available in both English and Urdu to support accessibility for people who may have been exposed to hepatitis C in countries such as Pakistan and India, where people can come into contact with infected blood through medical procedures, blood transfusions and blood products, or equipment used in cosmetic services.
The self-testing kit involves a simple finger prick, with a tiny blood sample dropped into a test tube and posted to a lab for analysis. Those who receive a positive test result are then contacted and referred for treatment.