A Victorian disease is set to become the world's most deadly infection

Hepatitis B and C are now as deadly as tuberculosis, with both viruses causing 1.3 million deaths in 2022. The sexually transmitted disease could kill more people annually than malaria, TB, and AIDS combined by 2040. Despite vaccines and treatments, deaths are increasing due to underdiagnosis and undertreatment. Two-thirds of the global disease burden falls on 10 nations, including China, India, and Russia.