Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C has been identified as the most common cause of post-transfusion hepatitis worldwide, accounting for approximately 90% of this disease in Japan, the United States and Western Europe. Hepatitis C is a major global public health problem. New infections continue to occur, and the source of infection includes transfusion of blood or blood products from unscreened donors; transfusion of blood products that have not undergone viral inactivation; parenteral exposure to blood through use of contaminated and inadequately sterilized instruments and needles used in medical, dental and 'traditional' medicine; procedures such as hemodialysis; high risk sexual practices; household or sexual contacts of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected persons; and infants of HCV-infected mothers. In many countries, the relative contribution of the various sources of infection has not been defined with population-based epidemiological studies. Such studies are necessary to enable countries to prioritize their preventive measures and to make the most appropriate use of available resources. Given the substantial morbidity and mortality attributable to HCV-related chronic liver disease, each country, irrespective of economic status, should develop a plan of HCV-related public health activities for the prevention of new HCV infections and the treatment of established chronic infections.