Recent ECDC data show that hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections continue to be major public health problems in the EU and the European Economic Area, with 3.6 million people chronically infected with HBV and 1.8 million with HCV. Prevalence varies significantly between different countries and populations, especially in vulnerable groups such as injectable drug users, prisoners and migrants. Despite the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns and other preventive measures, there are still challenges, particularly in providing services to the most at-risk groups. It is crucial to increase testing to identify and treat infections early in order to prevent serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The ECDC is committed to achieving the global goals of eliminating HBV and HCV, working with member countries and partner organizations to strengthen monitoring systems and share best practices in hepatitis management.
