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    Hepatitis C (HCV)

    Last updated on Thursday, 9 April 2026 at 04:00pm

    Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a bloodborne virus (BBV) that infects the liver and over time can cause severe liver damage leading to cirrhosis, liver failure and cancer.

    Through the surveillance of chronic viral hepatitis, UKHSA monitor disease trends, identify populations disproportionately affected and inequities in access and outcomes of care.

    Data reported by local (NHS or private) or reference laboratories on testing for viral hepatitis is the primary source of data.

    In 2016, the UK signed up to the WHO global health sector strategy (GHSS) to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. To validate elimination of viral hepatitis, it is necessary to demonstrate the achievement of the WHO impact and programmatic targets. The impact targets include absolute thresholds for incidence and mortality, and programmatic targets focus on diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

    The impact targets are:

    • Annual incidence less than or equal to 5 per 100,000 in all persons and less than or equal to 2 per 100 people who inject drugs.
    • Annual mortality less than or equal to 6 per 100,000 population for hepatitis C and hepatitis B combined. Previously, 2 per 100,000 persons for hepatitis C.

    The programmatic targets are:

    • At least 90% of people living with chronic hepatitis C to be diagnosed.
    • At least 80% of people who are diagnosed with hepatitis C to be treated.
    • At least 300 needles and syringes provided per person who injects drugs per year or at least 40% of people who inject drugs who are dependent on opioids to be receiving OAT.
    • 100% of healthcare facilities with safe injections or 90% of healthcare injection devices procured to be safety-engineered.
    • 100% of blood donations to be screened.

    We summarise England’s progress towards the WHO elimination targets for hepatitis C virus here and within the Hepatitis C in England Report. These metrics are updated annually. We will next update the data in March 2027.

    Headlines

    HCV prevalence estimates 2024 (aged 16 and over)

    Up to 31 Dec 2024
    50,200

    Median number of needles/syringes collected

    Up to 31 Dec 2024
    240

    Proportion of people diagnosed with hepatitis C initiating treatment (WHO Target: 80%)

    Up to 31 Dec 2024
    81.5%

    People who inject drugs who are dependent on opioids receiving OAT tax year 2022 to 2023 (WHO target: 40%)

    Up to 31 Dec 2024
    70.5%

    Annual mortality rate of hepatitis C virus-related deaths per 100,000 population 2024 - upper bound (WHO target: 2)

    Up to 31 Dec 2024
    0.9

    Prevalence

    Estimated prevalence in the general adult population in England, 2012 to 2024

    Dotted line shows 95% credible interval (Crl). In England, around 50,200 adults aged 16 years and over (95% Crl, 40,000 to 62,700) were estimated to be living with chronic hepatitis C in 2024. Figures are annual, but shown as at December of each year. For example, the figures for 2022 are shown as at "Dec 2022".

    Up to and including year ending 31 Dec 2024

    ChartThere are 3 plots on this chart. The horizontal X-axis is labelled 'date'. Whilst the vertical Y-axis is labelled 'metric'. This is plot number 1 on this chart. This is a dark blue solid line plot. The plot has a label of 'Prevalence estimate'. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_cases_prevalenceByYearEstimate' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows data from 31 December 2012 to 31 December 2024. It fell from 145800.0 on 31 December 2012 to 134300.0 on 31 December 2014. It fell from 129000.0 on 31 December 2015 to 119900.0 on 31 December 2016. It fell from 109100.0 on 31 December 2017 to 98300.0 on 31 December 2018. It fell from 88400.0 on 31 December 2019 to 78500.0 on 31 December 2020. It fell from 70400.0 on 31 December 2021 to 62300.0 on 31 December 2022. And finally. It fell from 55900.0 on 31 December 2023 to 50200.0 on 31 December 2024. This is plot number 2 on this chart. This is a turquoise dash line plot. The plot has a label of 'Lower 95% credible interval'. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_cases_prevalenceByYearLowerBound' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows data from 31 December 2012 to 31 December 2024. It fell from 126000.0 on 31 December 2012 to 115200.0 on 31 December 2014. It fell from 109900.0 on 31 December 2015 to 100700.0 on 31 December 2016. It fell from 90100.0 on 31 December 2017 to 79600.0 on 31 December 2018. It fell from 70600.0 on 31 December 2019 to 61600.0 on 31 December 2020. It fell from 55300.0 on 31 December 2021 to 48900.0 on 31 December 2022. And finally. It fell from 44200.0 on 31 December 2023 to 40000.0 on 31 December 2024. This is plot number 3 on this chart. This is a turquoise dash line plot. The plot has a label of 'Upper 95% credible interval'. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_cases_prevalenceByYearUpperBound' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows data from 31 December 2012 to 31 December 2024. It fell from 162000.0 on 31 December 2012 to 152100.0 on 31 December 2014. It fell from 147000.0 on 31 December 2015 to 138100.0 on 31 December 2016. It fell from 127300.0 on 31 December 2017 to 116600.0 on 31 December 2018. It fell from 106500.0 on 31 December 2019 to 96300.0 on 31 December 2020. It fell from 87100.0 on 31 December 2021 to 77800.0 on 31 December 2022. And finally. It fell from 69900.0 on 31 December 2023 to 62700.0 on 31 December 2024. There is no reporting delay period being tracked for the data on this chart. - Refer to tabular data.
    Tabular data

    Estimated prevalence in the general adult population in England, 2012 to 2024 data for dotted line shows 95% credible interval (Crl).

    In England, around 50,200 adults aged 16 years and over (95% Crl, 40,000 to 62,700) were estimated to be living with chronic hepatitis C in 2024.

    Figures are annual, but shown as at December of each year. For example, the figures for 2022 are shown as at "Dec 2022".

    Up to and including 31 December 2024

    Year Prevalence estimate Lower 95% credible interval
    31 Dec 202450,200.0040,000.00
    31 Dec 202355,900.0044,200.00
    31 Dec 202262,300.0048,900.00
    31 Dec 202170,400.0055,300.00
    31 Dec 202078,500.0061,600.00
    31 Dec 201988,400.0070,600.00
    31 Dec 201898,300.0079,600.00
    31 Dec 2017109,100.0090,100.00
    31 Dec 2016119,900.00100,700.00
    31 Dec 2015129,000.00109,900.00
    31 Dec 2014134,300.00115,200.00
    31 Dec 2013140,000.00120,600.00
    31 Dec 2012145,800.00126,000.00
    Year Upper 95% credible interval
    31 Dec 202462,700.00
    31 Dec 202369,900.00
    31 Dec 202277,800.00
    31 Dec 202187,100.00
    31 Dec 202096,300.00
    31 Dec 2019106,500.00
    31 Dec 2018116,600.00
    31 Dec 2017127,300.00
    31 Dec 2016138,100.00
    31 Dec 2015147,000.00
    31 Dec 2014152,100.00
    31 Dec 2013157,100.00
    31 Dec 2012162,000.00
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    Source: Modelled estimates of chronic hepatitis C prevalence based on multiple sources of information. Further information can be found in Technical notes. NOTES: Note 1: The model calculates the proportion of people living with chronic hepatitis C out of all those alive who have ever had hepatitis C (that is people who are hepatitis C virus antibody positive). The latter may have cleared their infection through achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) post treatment, or through spontaneous clearance. Note 2: The model assumes that the proportion of people who spontaneously cleared hepatitis C without treatment is a fixed quantity with no uncertainty (24% of infections spontaneously clear without treatment). Therefore prior to DAA treatment, the CrI for the proportion of chronic infections is very narrow. Note 3: The model estimates the percentage of the adult (aged 16 years and over) population with chronic hepatitis C infection. Virtually all infections are in those aged 16 years and over, so a more accurate picture is given by excluding children from the denominator.

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    Deaths

    Mortality for hepatitis C virus-related End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in England, upper and lower bound, 2005 to 2024

    The hepatitis C target has been met, with the upper bound for annual hepatitis C virus-related ESLD and/or HCC mortality rate at 0.9 per 100,000 population in 2024. Figures are annual, but shown as at December of each year. For example, the figures for 2022 are shown as at "Dec 2022".

    Up to and including year ending 31 Dec 2024

    ChartThere are 3 plots on this chart. The horizontal X-axis is labelled 'date'. Whilst the vertical Y-axis is labelled 'metric'. This is plot number 1 on this chart. This is a turquoise dash line plot. The plot has a label of 'Rate for hepatitis C virus-related HCC and/or ESLD (lower bound)'. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_deaths_rateByYearLowerBound' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows data from 31 December 2005 to 31 December 2024. It rose from 0.35 on 31 December 2005 to 0.45 on 31 December 2008. It rose from 0.49 on 31 December 2009 to 0.67 on 31 December 2012. It rose from 0.68 on 31 December 2013 to 0.69 on 31 December 2015. It fell from 0.66 on 31 December 2016 to 0.52 on 31 December 2018. It fell from 0.53 on 31 December 2019 to 0.46 on 31 December 2021. And finally. It fell from 0.45 on 31 December 2022 to 0.4 on 31 December 2024. This is plot number 2 on this chart. This is a dark blue dash line plot. The plot has a label of 'Rate for hepatitis C virus-related HCC and/or ESLD (upper bound)'. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_deaths_rateByYearUpperBound' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows data from 31 December 2005 to 31 December 2024. It rose from 0.51 on 31 December 2005 to 0.65 on 31 December 2008. It rose from 0.74 on 31 December 2009 to 1.02 on 31 December 2012. It rose from 1.04 on 31 December 2013 to 1.12 on 31 December 2015. It fell from 1.08 on 31 December 2016 to 0.94 on 31 December 2018. It fell from 1.04 on 31 December 2019 to 0.98 on 31 December 2021. And finally. It fell from 1.0 on 31 December 2022 to 0.86 on 31 December 2024. This is plot number 3 on this chart. This is a dark pink dash line plot. The plot has a label of 'WHO absolute elimination target'. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_deaths_WHOmortalityTarget' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows data from 31 December 2005 to 31 December 2024. The date fluctuates between 2.0 on 31 December 2005, ending with the same value on 31 December 2008. The date fluctuates between 2.0 on 31 December 2009, ending with the same value on 31 December 2012. The date fluctuates between 2.0 on 31 December 2013, ending with the same value on 31 December 2015. The date fluctuates between 2.0 on 31 December 2016, ending with the same value on 31 December 2018. The date fluctuates between 2.0 on 31 December 2019, ending with the same value on 31 December 2021. And finally. The date fluctuates between 2.0 on 31 December 2022, ending with the same value on 31 December 2024. There is no reporting delay period being tracked for the data on this chart. - Refer to tabular data.
    Tabular data

    Mortality for hepatitis C virus-related End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in England, upper and lower bound, 2005 to 2024 data for the hepatitis C target has been met, with the upper bound for annual hepatitis C virus-related ESLD and/or HCC mortality rate at 0.9 per 100,000 population in 2024.

    Figures are annual, but shown as at December of each year. For example, the figures for 2022 are shown as at "Dec 2022".

    Up to and including 31 December 2024

    Year Rate for hepatitis C virus-related HCC and/or ESLD (lower bound) Rate for hepatitis C virus-related HCC and/or ESLD (upper bound)
    31 Dec 20240.400.86
    31 Dec 20230.350.85
    31 Dec 20220.451.00
    31 Dec 20210.460.98
    31 Dec 20200.450.93
    31 Dec 20190.531.04
    31 Dec 20180.520.94
    31 Dec 20170.540.99
    31 Dec 20160.661.08
    31 Dec 20150.691.12
    31 Dec 20140.681.09
    31 Dec 20130.681.04
    31 Dec 20120.671.02
    31 Dec 20110.530.83
    31 Dec 20100.510.77
    31 Dec 20090.490.74
    31 Dec 20080.450.65
    31 Dec 20070.420.66
    31 Dec 20060.370.56
    31 Dec 20050.350.51
    Year WHO absolute elimination target
    31 Dec 20242.00
    31 Dec 20232.00
    31 Dec 20222.00
    31 Dec 20212.00
    31 Dec 20202.00
    31 Dec 20192.00
    31 Dec 20182.00
    31 Dec 20172.00
    31 Dec 20162.00
    31 Dec 20152.00
    31 Dec 20142.00
    31 Dec 20132.00
    31 Dec 20122.00
    31 Dec 20112.00
    31 Dec 20102.00
    31 Dec 20092.00
    31 Dec 20082.00
    31 Dec 20072.00
    31 Dec 20062.00
    31 Dec 20052.00
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    Source: Based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-year population estimates for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Notes: Note 1: Death registrations for England are those where hepatitis C is mentioned on the death certificate and excludes deaths registered in England where the deceased’s usual residence is outside of England. Note 2: Defined by codes or text entries for ascites, bleeding oesophageal varices, hepato-renal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, or hepatic failure (see link below for further information).

    Treatment

    Hepatitis C treatment pathway in England, 2015 to 2024

    Between 2015 and 2024, 115,870 individuals had a hepatitis C virus RNA or core antigen positive test result reported in Sentinel Surveillance of Blood Borne Virus testing (SSBBV). The full titles of each bar should read: "Individuals with chronic HCV", "Individuals with Chronic HCV and NHS number of name and date of birth", "Linked with treatment database", "Treatment started (post RNA positive)", "Outcome reported", "Sustained virologic response". Data to end of 2024.

    Up to and including 31 Dec 2024

    ChartThere are 6 plots on this chart. The horizontal X-axis is labelled 'stratum'. Whilst the vertical Y-axis is labelled 'metric'. This is plot number 1 on this chart. This is a dark blue solid bar plot. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_headline_treatmentPathway' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows `Individuals with chronic HCV` along the X-axis. And `115870.0000` along the Y-axis. This is plot number 2 on this chart. This is a dark blue solid bar plot. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_headline_treatmentPathway' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows `Chronic HCV and valid identifiers` along the X-axis. And `81642.0000` along the Y-axis. This is plot number 3 on this chart. This is a dark blue solid bar plot. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_headline_treatmentPathway' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows `Linked with treatment database` along the X-axis. And `68469.0000` along the Y-axis. This is plot number 4 on this chart. This is a dark blue solid bar plot. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_headline_treatmentPathway' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows `Treatment started` along the X-axis. And `66537.0000` along the Y-axis. This is plot number 5 on this chart. This is a dark blue solid bar plot. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_headline_treatmentPathway' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows `Outcome reported` along the X-axis. And `59685.0000` along the Y-axis. This is plot number 6 on this chart. This is a dark blue solid bar plot. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_headline_treatmentPathway' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows `Sustained virological response` along the X-axis. And `57793.0000` along the Y-axis. There is no reporting delay period being tracked for the data on this chart. - Refer to tabular data.
    Tabular data

    Hepatitis C treatment pathway in England, 2015 to 2024 data for between 2015 and 2024, 115,870 individuals had a hepatitis C virus RNA or core antigen positive test result reported in Sentinel Surveillance of Blood Borne Virus testing (SSBBV). The full titles of each bar should read: "Individuals with chronic HCV", "Individuals with Chronic HCV and NHS number of name and date of birth", "Linked with treatment database", "Treatment started (post RNA positive)", "Outcome reported", "Sustained virologic response".

    Data to end of 2024.

    Up to and including 31 December 2024

    Stratum Amount
    Individuals with chronic HCV115,870.00
    Chronic HCV and valid identifiers81,642.00
    Linked with treatment database68,469.00
    Treatment started66,537.00
    Outcome reported59,685.00
    Sustained virological response57,793.00
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    Sources: Sentinel Surveillance of Blood Borne Virus testing (SSBBV) , NHSE Hepatitis C Patient Registry and Treatment Outcome System and NHSE Blueteq reports of direct acting antivirals for hepatitis C. NOTES: Note 1: In individuals testing hepatitis C virus RNA or core antigen positive with no linkage to the Hepatitis C Patient Registry and Treatment Outcome System or NHSE’s Blueteq System, there are no time restrictions on a subsequent RNA or core antigen negative test after the initial RNA or core antigen positive test. Therefore, these individuals may include those that have spontaneous clearance of their infection or individuals who have cleared infection as a result of treatment but were not linked to the NHSE Hepatitis C Patient Registry and Treatment Outcome System or NHSE’s Blueteq System. Note 2: In the absence of a reported SVR as a treatment outcome in the NHSE Hepatitis C Patient Registry and Treatment Outcome System, an RNA or core antigen negative test recorded at 96 days or more after the treatment start date in SSBBV was used. Note 3: Numerator: number starting treatment. Denominator: number of individuals who tested positive for hepatitis C virus RNA or core antigen with NHS number or name and date of birth reported through SSBBV who had not died before linkage to treatment and where there was no evidence of possible spontaneous clearance. Note 4: Numerator: number clearing hepatitis C virus as a treatment outcome, or in the absence of a reported SVR, an RNA or core antigen negative test recorded at 96 days or more after the treatment start date in SSBBV. The proportion reported as clearing hepatitis C virus is likely to be lower than the true proportion. Denominator: number starting treatment.

    Prevention

    Estimated proportion of people who inject drugs reporting adequate needle and syringe provision in England, 2017 to 2024

    In 2024, 64.9% of people who injected drugs in the past year reported having adequate needle and syringe provision (NSP) for their needs. This figure is similar to previous years and highlights that 1 in 3 people continue to report inadequate NSP for their needs. Figures are annual, but shown as at December of each year. For example, the figures for 2022 are shown as at "Dec 2022".

    Up to and including year ending 31 Dec 2024

    ChartThere is only 1 plot on this chart. The horizontal X-axis is labelled 'date'. Whilst the vertical Y-axis is labelled 'metric'. This is a dark blue solid line plot. This plot shows data for Hepatitis-C. Specifically the metric 'hepatitis-c_prevention_PWIDproportionNSP' for the England area, along with the age banding of 'all' for the gender group of all. This plot shows data from 31 December 2017 to 31 December 2024. It rose from 64.9 on 31 December 2017 to 68.2 on 31 December 2018. It fell from 66.1 on 31 December 2019 to 62.7 on 31 December 2020. The date fluctuates between 65.6 on 31 December 2021, ending with the same value on 31 December 2021. The date fluctuates between 67.9 on 31 December 2022, ending with the same value on 31 December 2022. The date fluctuates between 66.1 on 31 December 2023, ending with the same value on 31 December 2023. And finally. The date fluctuates between 64.9 on 31 December 2024, ending with the same value on 31 December 2024. There is no reporting delay period being tracked for the data on this chart. - Refer to tabular data.
    Tabular data

    Estimated proportion of people who inject drugs reporting adequate needle and syringe provision in England, 2017 to 2024 data for in 2024, 64.9% of people who injected drugs in the past year reported having adequate needle and syringe provision (NSP) for their needs. This figure is similar to previous years and highlights that 1 in 3 people continue to report inadequate NSP for their needs.

    Figures are annual, but shown as at December of each year. For example, the figures for 2022 are shown as at "Dec 2022".

    Up to and including 31 December 2024

    Year Proportion (%)
    31 Dec 202464.90
    31 Dec 202366.10
    31 Dec 202267.90
    31 Dec 202165.60
    31 Dec 202062.70
    31 Dec 201966.10
    31 Dec 201868.20
    31 Dec 201764.90
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    Source: The Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring (UAM) Survey of infections and risk among people who inject drugs. Notes: Note 1: The new ‘needles and syringes collected’ measure in the headline metrics at the top of the page gives a more accurate picture of real‑world use and aligns with current WHO reporting standards. We are reporting it alongside the established ‘provision’ measure to maintain continuity. We will update the dashboard as more data becomes available. Note 2: Needle and syringe provision is considered ‘adequate’ when the reported number of needles received met or exceeded the number of times the individual reported injecting in the past month. Note 3: During 2020 and 2021, recruitment to the UAM Survey was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, there were changes in the geographic and demographic profile of people taking part. This should be taken into account when interpreting data for these years.

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