Demystifying the management of Hepatitis B – the WHO 2024 Guidelines on the management of Hepatitis B

Abstract

Globally, an estimated 254 million people are living with Hepatitis B (PLWHB), with the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa region accounting for 63% of new hepatitis B infections (HBV) and where only 18% of newborn children have received the Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination.¹ In 2022, there were 771 000 new HBV infections and 272 000 deaths in the WHO Africa region due to an entirely preventable and treatable infection. Of the 64.7 million PLWHB in the WHO Africa Region, only 4.2% (2.7 million) had been diagnosed, and 0.2% (150 000) had received treatment.¹