West Africa Hepatitis B surge

In late July 2026 health officials across West Africa reported a worsening hepatitis B situation.

In Senegal, about 85 % of the population showed evidence of past infection and 5‑10 % were chronic carriers, prompting calls for stronger advocacy, early screening and treatment ahead of World Hepatitis Day. Burkina Faso highlighted its near‑universal newborn vaccination programme and booster doses, noting the vaccine’s high effectiveness but stressing the need for broader public‑health measures.

Two days later Ghana warned that roughly three million people lived with chronic hepatitis B, yet only about 1 % had been diagnosed and far fewer received treatment; deaths rose from 15,443 in 2024 to around 16,000 in 2025. The country set WHO‑aligned targets for diagnosis and treatment by 2030 and emphasized expanding birth‑dose vaccination. In The Gambia, despite years of vaccination, young adults were experiencing a surge in severe liver disease and liver‑cancer cases, with over 2,000 hepatitis‑related deaths since 2012. Officials cited gaps in vaccine coverage, public awareness, testing and treatment.

Together, the reports illustrate a regional surge in hepatitis B prevalence and liver disease, mixed progress in vaccination programmes, and a common call for expanded screening, treatment capacity and public education throughout West Africa.