WHO: Hepatitis D Now Classified as Liver Cancer Risk—Act Now

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) has been officially classified as carcinogenic, joining hepatitis B and C as major causes of liver cancer. HDV infects only people already carrying hepatitis B and greatly increases the risk of severe liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer—raising cancer risk by two to six times compared to hepatitis B alone. Over 300 million people worldwide live with chronic hepatitis B, C, or D infections, which cause more than 1.3 million deaths annually, often without symptoms until advanced disease develops. Early diagnosis, vaccination against hepatitis B, and improved access to treatment are essential to reduce hepatitis-related liver cancer and death.