An epidemiologic summary of the hepatitis C epidemic in Minnesota

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been described as a "silent epidemic" because the majority of HCV cases are clinically asymptomatic. This presents challenges in identification and diagnosis of HCV infection. Between 1990 and 2001, the Minnesota Department of Health received 16,913 reports of HCV enzyme immunoassay (EIA) positive cases, which represent the tip of the HCV prevalence iceberg. The most commonly identified risk factor associated with HCV infection is intravenous drug use (IDU). Among cases of HCV infection in Minnesota, 52% (2,760) of those who had reported risk-factor information reported history of IDU. Nationally, the number of new cases of acute infection is declining, but the number of persons with HCV infection is sizeable. Morbidity and mortality due to HCV-related liver disease is expected to increase greatly in the next decade. A coordinated effort between the public and private health systems will be necessary to address issues that affect the HCV-positive community.