12,060 Nigerians live with Hepatitis B, C in 12 states – Report

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A total of 12,060 Nigerians have tested positive for Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) across 12 states in 2025.

The HBV and HCV patients were confirmed positive among the 210,947 individuals screened for the viruses, according to the 2025 Health Statistics published by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The report, which was obtained by our correspondent on Friday, showed that 129,602 individuals were screened for HBV, while 81,345 were screened for HCV so far in 2025.

The report stated, “In 2025, 9,066 persons were reported to be reactive to the Hepatitis B virus. In the general population, about 15–20 per cent of HBsAg-positive adults qualify for treatment; this translates to about 906 (lower threshold) who needed treatment. Only 179 (25 per cent) were reported to be on HBV treatment.”

According to the World Health Organisation, hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a variety of infectious and non-infectious agents, leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal.

The 2024 Global Hepatitis Report by the WHO revealed that viral hepatitis infections are the second leading infectious cause of death globally, with 1.3 million deaths per year, the same as tuberculosis, a top infectious killer.

A breakdown of the report showed that in Adamawa State, 2,633 people were screened for HBV infection, out of which 298 tested reactive. A total of 11.3 per cent were HBV positive. For HCV, 1,941 people were screened, and 74 were reactive.

In Delta State, 1,049 people were screened for HBV, with 14 reactive cases. Two people were newly started on HBV treatment, and HBV positivity was 1.3 per cent. For HCV, 781 were screened, and 2 were reactive.

In Jigawa State, 380 people were screened for HBV, and 24 were reactive. HBV positivity was 6.3 per cent. For HCV, 321 were screened, and 22 were reactive.

In Kano State, 28,461 people were screened for HBV, and 2,231 were reactive. Seventeen people were newly started on HBV treatment, and HBV positivity was 7.8 per cent. For HCV, 12,730 people were screened, and 66 were reactive.

In Katsina State, 149 people were screened for HBV, with 28 reactive cases. HBV positivity was 18.8 per cent. For HCV, 44 people were screened.

In Kebbi State, 193 people were screened for HBV, and 8 were reactive. HBV positivity was 4.1 per cent. For HCV, no screenings were recorded.

In Kwara State, 3,627 people were screened for HBV, and 54 were reactive. HBV positivity was 1.5 per cent. Twelve people were screened for HCV.

In Lagos State, 41,982 people were screened for HBV, with 2,042 reactive. Thirty-one people were newly started on HBV treatment, and HBV positivity stood at 4.9 per cent. A total of 27,962 people were screened for HCV, and 460 were reactive.

In Nasarawa State, 38,035 people were screened for HBV, and 3,348 were reactive. One hundred and four people were newly started on HBV treatment, and HBV positivity was 8.8 per cent. For HCV, 37,227 people were screened, and 2,097 were reactive.

In Niger State, 3,486 people were screened for HBV, and 668 were reactive. HBV positivity was 19.2 per cent. For HCV, 2,523 were screened, and 242 were reactive.

In Taraba State, 223 people were screened for HBV, with 41 reactive cases. HBV positivity was 18.4 per cent. For HCV, 223 were screened, and 29 were reactive.

In Zamfara State, 9,384 people were screened for HBV, with 310 reactive. HBV positivity was 3.3 per cent. For HCV, 104 people were screened, and two were reactive.

The PUNCH journalist, Lara, has over 10 years experience covering health, environment and CSOs

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