Viral Hepatitis C, 2017

In 2017, 59 cases of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (1.1 per 100,000) were reported. In 2012, the case definition for acute hepatitis C changed to include documented asymptomatic seroconversion. Of the 59 cases, 16 (27%) were asymptomatic, laboratory-confirmed acute infection.

Thirty (51%) cases resided in Greater Minnesota. The median age of all cases was 32 years (range, 18 to 66). Thirty-four (58%) cases were male. Race was known for 57 cases; of those, 35 (61%) were white, 16 (28%) were American Indian/Alaska Native, and 6 (11%) were black. Three (5%) cases were known to be of Hispanic ethnicity.

MDH received 1,867 reports of newly identified chronic hepatitis C infections in 2017. In 2016, the case definition for chronic hepatitis C changed to exclude those previously reported. A total of 34,720 persons are estimated to be alive and living in Minnesota with chronic HCV infection. The median age of these cases is 58 years.

• For up to date information see>> Hepatitis C
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2017