China expands viral hepatitis screening to treat millions of undiagnosed cases

China is stepping up viral hepatitis screening and early treatment alongside its longstanding vaccination program, seeking to bring millions of undiagnosed or untreated people into care, experts said.

A nationwide survey led by researchers at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) estimated that 75 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B nationwide.

Among those infected, only 59.78 percent are aware of their status. Furthermore, among diagnosed patients who meet clinical treatment criteria, only 17.3 percent are receiving antiviral therapy.

To reduce this burden, China's 2025–2030 action plan for viral hepatitis prevention and care aims to raise both the diagnosis rate among people with chronic hepatitis B and the antiviral treatment rate for newly reported patients to at least 80 percent by 2030.

Li Jian, a researcher at the China CDC, emphasized at an event in Beijing on Wednesday the need to expand case detection and establish a more integrated system covering prevention, screening, treatment and patient management.

Low public awareness and social stigma remain significant barriers, while chronic hepatitis B often causes no obvious symptoms in its early stages, allowing the disease to progress before patients seek care, experts at the event said.

Yang Zhiyun, vice-president of Beijing Ditan Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, said the inclusion of first-line oral antivirals in China's medical insurance system had improved treatment accessibility and affordability.

Clinical guidelines issued in 2022 also broadened treatment eligibility, allowing more people with hepatitis B to receive earlier intervention. However, Yang said patients should not delay established antiviral therapy while waiting for new treatments that might offer a functional cure.

Bridging the diagnosis gap also requires stronger public engagement beyond clinical settings, said Jin Fangqian, vice-president and China general manager at Gilead Sciences.

"Health education should extend beyond hospitals and clinics into communities, public spaces and people's daily lives," he said. "We hope such efforts can help more people understand hepatitis B, seek early diagnosis and receive standard treatment."

The event was organized by Xinhuanet under the guidance of China CDC. An accompanying art installation promoting hepatitis B screening and treatment will tour museums in Shanghai, Shenzhen in Guangdong province and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province following its Beijing debut.