CDC Report Focuses on Slowing Hepatitis C Infection Rate

Hepatitis C virus infection rates are the highest in 15 years, according to recent data released by the CDC.¹ Preliminary surveillance data revealed that the number of new infections has nearly tripled over the past 5 years.

The CDC reported that new hepatitis C virus infections are increasing at rapid rates among young individuals, primarily 20-29 year olds, due to the growing opioid epidemic and prevalence of injection drug use. Additionally, other CDC studies have suggested the rising incidence of hepatitis C in women of childbearing age, indicating an increased risk for transmission among younger individuals.²

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends 5 strategies to reduce the impact of the opioid epidemic and injection-related infectious diseases.

• Improve access to treatment and recovery services.
• Promote use of overdose-reversing drugs.
• Strengthen understanding of the opioid epidemic through better public health surveillance.
• Provide support for cutting-edge research on pain and addiction.
• Advance better practices for pain management.

Employing comprehensive syringe services programs (SSP) is a common strategy designed to help communities prevent injection-related infectious diseases. The CDC published 2 recent analyses supporting expanded access to SSPs in communities.

The HHS recently released the National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2017-2020. The updated plan outlines major goals, strategies, and indicators to help track progress in reducing hepatitis rates nationally.

“Stopping hepatitis C will eliminate an enormous disease and economic burden for all Americans,” John Ward MD, director of CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis, said in a press release.² “We have a cure for this disease and the tools to prevent new infections. Now we need a substantial, focused, and concerted national effort to implement the National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan and make effective prevention tools and curative treatment available to Americans in need.”

Reference

• CDC. Surveillance for viral hepatitis — United States, 2015. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/statistics/2015surveillance/commentary.htm. Accessed May 15, 2017.
• New hepatitis C infections nearly tripled over 5 years [news release]. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p-hepatitis-c-infections-tripled.html. Accessed May 15, 2017.