New guidance for HIV and hepatitis testing in emergency departments across Europe has been launched at the HepHIV 2026 conference, taking place in Dublin on November 2 and 3.

A biennial pan-European conference, HepHIV brings together health experts, civil society groups and policymakers from across the continent to share crucial information about testing and earlier care. Featuring research from 24 countries, the HepHIV 2026 Dublin Conference aims to showcase lessons learned throughout Europe in how to effectively address challenges posed by infectious diseases.  

The new EuroTEST guidance, launched at the conference, aims to support the implementation of routine HIV and hepatitis testing in emergency departments across Europe. Under the guidance, patients accessing emergency departments would be informed that testing for HIV and hepatitis would be automatically performed unless they decline.

In several European programmes, routine opt-out testing for bloodborne viruses has proved to be highly effective in increasing testing uptake in emergency settings, thus identifying undiagnosed infections. Testing in emergency departments represents an opportunity to reach people who may otherwise be missed, thus improving linkage to care.

The guidance is part of broader efforts to end HIV transmission and eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat. Despite advances in treatment and prevention, barriers to HIV testing persist, leading to missed opportunities for diagnosis.

“Emergency departments are often the front door to healthcare for people who face barriers to accessing services elsewhere,” said HepHIV 2026 Co-chair Jürgen Rockstroh. “Routine opt-out testing creates a valuable opportunity to identify HIV and viral hepatitis earlier, while also reconnecting people who have fallen out of care.”

Stephen O’Hare, Executive Director of HIV Ireland and HepHIV 2026 Co-chair, added: “Testing should be as routine as measuring blood pressure. Opt-out testing in emergency departments is one of the most effective ways to expand access, reduce stigma and ensure that people living with HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C are diagnosed and linked to care as early as possible.”