At-home hepatitis C test identifies hundreds with silent but deadly virus

The NHS has identified 225 people with a silent but deadly virus as part of a national drive to stamp out the disease and uncover more victims of the infected blood scandal.

The significant discovery was made after more than 100,000 at-home hepatitis C tests were requested since the service's launch in May 2023, including 15,463 in the week after the Infected Blood Inquiry published its final report in May 2024.

Health officials said that 105,998 people have ordered an at-home NHS hepatitis C test online since the service was launched in 2023.

Among those diagnosed under the NHS scheme so far, NHS England said that seven in 10 are from deprived communities.

The most common risk factors reported by positive cases include injecting drug use, sharing needles and other drug paraphernalia and a history of prison.

It is understood that only a very small number identified after ordering a test online had a positive result after receiving contaminated blood.

In May this year, NHS England also launched a system which means that people of a certain age who newly register with GP practices in England will be asked if they had a blood transfusion prior to 1996 in a bid to find more victims of the infected blood scandal.

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said “We want to make it easier for people to access care before hidden viruses like hepatitis C cause people serious harm.

“The home testing service is available to everyone, and through targeted outreach to people at higher risk we are helping thousands avoid serious illness and reducing health inequalities in the process.

“If you or someone you know might be at risk, order a free and confidential test today via the NHS hepatitis C testing website – it could save your life.”

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Source: The Independent, 20 August 2025