England set to eliminate hepatitis C

England is on track to become one of the first countries in the world to eliminate hepatitis C, a dangerous virus that attacks the liver, figures show.

The target of treating 80% of all known cases has already been met, and deaths from the virus have fallen by 36% in the last decade, just short of what is needed by 2030.

Taking antiviral tablets for 8 to 12 weeks can cure more than 95% of cases.

Initiatives including A&E blood tests, GP registration testing and free at-home tests have helped to find people who were previously undiagnosed, says NHS England.

Hepatitis C is spread through contact with blood infected with the virus, such as by sharing needles with someone who has it.

It is a silent disease, meaning people often have no symptoms until much later.

Untreated, it can cause serious and potentially life-threatening liver damage.

NHS England says that since 2015, more than 100,000 people have been diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C, meaning the country is already meeting that target.