NEW data released at this year's World Hepatitis Summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil (01-03 Nov) shows Australia is currently on track to eliminate hepatitis C thanks to its huge efforts in enabling population-wide access to treatment.
However, the challenge will be to keep annual treatment numbers high enough to eliminate the virus by 2030, researchers said.
For hepatitis B, progress is slower and more challenges remain, the conference delegates were told.
Hepatitis Australia ceo Helen Tyrell said, "Australia has made a fantastic inroad into its hepatitis C epidemic, but the challenge ahead is to ensure all people with chronic hepatitis C are diagnosed and linked to care...for hepatitis B, the challenges are very significant as the national response is not as well advanced as that for hepatitis C".
She said it was hoped the Third National Hepatitis B Strategy, currently in development, will be the catalyst to both articulate and invest in a range of priority actions urgently needed to get hepatitis B on a track towards elimination.
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