Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a contagious liver disease that mainly spreads through contact with blood and can range in severity from a mild illness that clears on its own to a serious, lifelong illness that can result in death. HCV infection is the most common bloodborne pathogen in the U.S. and a major cause of liver cancer. Hepatitis C-associated mortality is increasing in the U.S. and has surpassed the 60 other nationally notifiable infection conditions combined.
Prevalence in the United States is estimated to be 1.3 percent (range of 1.0 percent to 2.0 percent). In Colorado, prevalence based on these estimates ranged between 54,566 and 109,131 in 2015. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has reported receiving approximately 4,000 new reports of chronic hepatitis C each year across urban and rural areas, with increasing numbers in recent years. In addition, approximately 25 to 40 cases of acute hepatitis C are reported annually. These numbers are much lower than actual infections due to under-ascertainment and under-reporting. CDC estimates there are 13.9 actual acute infections for each acute case reported.
Countries: United States – Colorado
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