New CDC report: Most US Hepatitis C cases untreated.
Only 34% of Americans Infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Have Been Cured Since 2013
According to a report released on Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 34% of Americans infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) since 2013 have been cured, despite the availability of testing and treatment options.
The Alarming Statistics
The CDC study identified more than 1.7 million Americans who were infected with HCV from 2013 to 2021. Shockingly, only 88% of those infected sought RNA viral testing, which is the most effective form of testing for HCV. The report does not provide clear information on how many of those cured received treatment or how many infections resolved naturally.
The Impact of HCV
Acute HCV can cause various symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, upset stomach, vomiting, fever, and dark urine. However, chronic HCV does not have easily identifiable symptoms and can lead to chronic liver disease or liver cancer if left undetected.
“This simplified national HCV clearance cascade identifies substantial gaps in cure nearly a decade since highly effective direct acting antiviral (DAA) agents became available and will facilitate the process of monitoring progress toward national elimination goals,” reads the CDC report.
DAA agents for HCV consist of an eight to 12-week course and have a cure rate of over 95%.
Transmission and Prevention
HCV is primarily spread through blood contact, such as sharing drug paraphernalia, unclean tattoo or body piercing equipment, or sexual contact. The CDC estimates that 6% of infants born to mothers with HCV will also be infected at birth due to in-utero transmission.
In 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services launched the Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan with the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat in the United States.
Based on the findings released Friday, the CDC is recommending significant improvements in access to testing and efforts to increase access to DAA treatment options.
“It is essential that increased access to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention services for persons with hepatitis C be addressed to prevent progression of disease and ongoing transmission and achieve national hepatitis C elimination goals,” the CDC said.
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