Viral Hepatitis C, 2015

In 2015, 37 cases of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (0.7 per 100,000) were reported. In 2012, the case definition for acute hepatitis C changed to include documented asymptomatic seroconversion. Of the 37 acute cases, 5 (14%) were asymptomatic, laboratory confirmed acute HCV infection.

Twenty-four (65%) cases resided in Greater Minnesota. The median age of all cases was 29 years (range, 20 to 53 years). Twenty-two (59%) cases were female. Race was known for 33 cases; of those, 22 (67%) were white and 11 (33%) were American Indian. No cases were known to be of Hispanic ethnicity.

We received 2,396 reports of newly identified anti-HCV antibody-positive or HCV PCR-positive persons in 2015, the vast majority of whom are chronically infected. A total of 45,791 persons are estimated to be alive and living in Minnesota with past or present HCV infection. The median age of these cases is 57 years. Because most cases are asymptomatic, medical providers are encouraged to consider each patient’s risk for HCV infection to determine the need for testing.

• For up to date information see>> Hepatitis C
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2015