For how we live.
Final FDA guidance published on 3 November says blood collectors need not test whole-blood donations for hepatitis B surface antigen when nucleic-acid and anti-core tests are run, keeping both for Source Plasma.
An MMWR report describes 249 cases statewide, 72% of outbreak patients hospitalised and no deaths, and urges vaccination before travel as exposures continue into 2026.
An IARC worldwide incidence analysis puts the infection-attributable share at 12%, led by H pylori and HPV, with eastern Asia carrying the heaviest load and most of the toll preventable.
Hepatitis C is usually silent for years and is the reason for much chronic liver disease. A short course of antiviral pills cures more than 95% of cases, which is what changed the screening advice.
ECDC data show near-zero hepatitis B in under-fives and vertical transmission below 2%, alongside five million chronic infections and only seven countries meeting the harm-reduction benchmark.