Newly Reported Chronic Hepatitis C Among Adults - Alaska, 2016-2023

Hepatitis C virus is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related death and is targeted for global elimination as a public health threat by 2030. Universal screening is recommended for all adults aged ≥18 years and pregnant women during each pregnancy; periodic risk-based screening also is recommended. Persons with current infection should be linked to antiviral treatment, which usually results in a virologic cure within 8-12 weeks. To assess progress toward elimination, epidemiologic trends in newly reported chronic hepatitis C cases were assessed among adult Alaska residents during 2016-2023. Overall, 5,352 confirmed chronic hepatitis C cases were newly reported among adults aged ≥18 years. The average annual rate (cases per 100,000 population) was 121 and decreased a relative 30% from 142 during 2016-2019 to 99 during 2020-2023. Statistically significant decreases occurred for most groups. Groups with higher average rates included males, adults aged 18-39 years, residents of rural areas, and American Indian or Alaska Native persons. Hepatitis C surveillance can help monitor trends in health outcomes and identify groups needing tailored testing and treatment interventions toward hepatitis C elimination.