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Hepatitis C surveillance in Canada
E Payne1, S Totten1, C Archibald1
1Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON.
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) rates in Canada decreased from 1998 to 2012, with males consistently showing higher infection rates. However, the long-term burden of chronic HCV infection is expected to rise.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Hepatitis C is a significant public health concern in Canada due to its high transmissibility and potential for chronic liver disease.
- Surveillance data is crucial for understanding and managing the spread of Hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze surveillance trends of reported Hepatitis C virus (HCV) cases in Canada.
- To examine age and sex-specific patterns of HCV infection from 1991 to 2012.
Main Methods:
- Utilized national data from the Canadian Notifiable Disease Surveillance System for reported HCV cases.
- Analyzed time trends from 1991-2012, with detailed age and sex analysis from 2005-2012.
- Presented results based on total reported HCV cases, as acute vs. chronic status was often undifferentiated.
Main Results:
- Reported HCV infection rates peaked in 1998 and subsequently declined by 2012.
- Males consistently exhibited higher HCV rates than females throughout the study period.
- In 2012, younger females had marginally higher rates, while males aged 30 and above showed substantially higher rates.
Conclusions:
- Canada has observed a downward trend in reported HCV rates.
- Despite declining rates, the increasing prevalence of chronic infection poses a continuing public health challenge.
- Long-term monitoring of HCV trends is essential for effective public health interventions.
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