Epidemiology & Public Health

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection transmission has changed considerably, reflecting both the evolution of medicine, with the discovery of HCV in 1989, and the health and social changes. Parenteral exposure is the main way of HCV transmission. After 1989, the introduction of antibody screening tests among blood donors has reduced the rate of post-transfusion hepatitis. Currently, in many countries, routine blood donor screening by nucleic acid amplification testing for the presence of HCV-RNA has been introduced. The HCV prevalence in drug users exceeds 80% in some countries. Moreover, the HCV infection is common in the Baby Boomers. As recommended by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, given the high prevalence of HCV infection in these patients, it is conceivable that an anti-HCV screening, with subsequent detection of HCV-RNA in positive anti-HCV subjects, could be offered to people born between the years of 1946 and 1964 to greatly reduce the HCV infection in the world by anti-viral treatment. Moreover, the HCV screening could be offered to people most at risk for HCV infection such as those had blood transfusions, blood products, or organ donations before the 90s, prisoners, health care workers, drug users, infants born to HCV-infected mothers. Furthermore, it is necessary to remember the hundreds of thousands of people in the developing world who have very limited access to HCV diagnostics

and treatment.