The United States is making inroads against viral hepatitis. A newly released CDC report demonstrates that five of 10 indicators assessing progress toward viral hepatitis reduction met annual targets in 2025.
However, the report also highlights that important steps are needed to prevent future hepatitis outbreaks and achieve national elimination goals.
“Even though hepatitis A and B are vaccine-preventable, and hepatitis C can be cured, tens of thousands of new cases of viral hepatitis occur every year in the U.S.,” said Carolyn Wester, MD, MPH, the director of the CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis. “Viral hepatitis is a serious public health threat and is a leading cause of liver cancer.
“Many Americans infected with viral hepatitis remain undiagnosed, and far too many viral hepatitis–related deaths occur each year,” Dr. Wester said. “In 2023, viral hepatitis infections resulted in more than 13,000 deaths and cost the U.S. healthcare system hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Hepatitis A Virus
The report noted that substantial decreases in the incidence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) have occurred. Although annual increases were reported from 2015 to 2019, rates of HAV decreased by 93% from 2019 to 2023. From 2022 to 2023, there was a 28% decrease in the number of reported cases of HAV. During 2023, 49 states and Washington, D.C., reported more than 1,600 cases of HAV, corresponding to an estimated 3,300 infections and 85 deaths.
Hepatitis B Virus
Rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV) decreased from 2019 to 2020 and remained stable though 2023. During 2023, 47 states and Washington, D.C., reported more than 2,200 acute HBV cases, corresponding to an estimated 14,400 infections and 1,769 deaths.
Hepatitis C Virus
While rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) increased from 2011 to 2020, they remained relatively stable from 2020 to 2023. During 2023, 47 states and Washington, D.C., reported nearly 5,000 acute HCV cases, corresponding to an estimated 69,000 infections and 11,194 deaths. Furthermore, 45 states and Washington, D.C., reported 101,525 newly reported cases of chronic HCV during 2023.
“The current state of hepatitis in the U.S. reflects both challenges and progress,” Dr. Wester said in an interview. “Continued efforts are needed to maintain gains in hepatitis A control and to address rising rates of hepatitis B and C in certain populations.”
Steps to Reach Hepatitis Goals
To reduce the risk for future outbreaks and continue progress toward elimination goals, the authors of the report noted that multiple steps are necessary:
- Increase hepatitis testing, vaccination and treatment for adults and infants.
- Develop and implement new diagnostic tools to make testing for hepatitis faster and easier for patients and providers.
- Enhance local and national viral hepatitis surveillance capacity to get a clearer picture of viral hepatitis trends and needs.
- Address prevention and treatment gaps in groups at higher risk for viral hepatitis infections.
“The stakes are high,” Dr. Wester said. “Our efforts to prevent and treat disease now will have a lasting impact. The next five years will be critical for changing the trajectory of viral hepatitis in the U.S.—once and for all.”
—Ethan Covey
This article is from the July 2025 print issue.