Hepatitis C can be treated but still kills in France

Published on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, a new international report focuses on the hepatitis C virus, which France aims to eradicate by 2025. Every year around the world, nearly 400,000 deaths are linked to complications from infection with the hepatitis C virus. In France, around 90,000 patients remain to be screened and treated, even if more 80,000 have been cured since 2014.

Antiviral drugs can cure

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by a virus, HCV. The severity of hepatitis C is variable and can range from a mild form, lasting only a few weeks, to a serious illness that is lifelong (cirrhosis or liver cancer). Antiviral drugs can cure more than 95% of people infected with the hepatitis C virus, provided they are detected early enough.

According to the authors of the report, France is one of the 10 countries out of the 29 studied which are currently on track to eradicate the disease.

Reaching the least accessible people

In their 2018-2022 Prevention Priority Plan, our health authorities are focusing on increasing access to treatment, as well as stepping up prevention and screening actions. “Pioneering countries, which are on track to meet the WHO targets by 2030, or even earlier, must strive to reach the least accessible people.”, complete the authors of the report. “To facilitate a comprehensive treatment procedure in this population, they should seriously consider simplifying the care pathway.” say the experts.

The hepatitis C virus is transmitted through blood: the most common modes of infection are through exposure to small amounts of this fluid, including through injection drug use, blood transfusion or who have not been screened or have had sexual practices resulting in exposure to blood.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has undeniably complicated the fight against other diseases. However, this crisis cannot impede advances in other diseases, especially HCV infection, which can be eliminated.” conclude the authors of the report.