Hepatitis C Surveillance

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Hepatitis C human liver.jpg

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). An estimated 2.4 million people in the United States were living with hepatitis C during 2013-2016. HCV is spread when blood from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with HCV by sharing needles or other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs. For some persons hepatitis C is an acute, short-term illness. However, more than half of people infected with HCV develop chronic illness that can lead to serious adverse health outcomes   including cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. Over 90% of people infected with HCV can be cured with 8-12 weeks of oral therapy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends universal hepatitis C screening for all adults and all pregnant women during every pregnancy.

Current Surveillance Practices

Hepatitis C disease surveillance

On May 1, 2002, Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) Communicable Disease (CD) Program began conducting surveillance for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Washoe County. The objectives of this surveillance are:

  • Identify new cases
  • Estimate disease burden
  • Characterize risk factors of infected patients
  • Identify infected person who can be counseled and referred for medical follow-up or immunization
  • Provide healthcare providers and the public with local data to support hepatitis C testing, treatment, and prevention services

Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) investigates all reports of acute hepatitis C. Cases are interviewed by a member of the Epidemiology Program to learn their signs and symptoms, identify potential sources of exposure, identify contacts and refer them for testing, and provide recommendations for disease prevention and control. Due to resource constraints, cases of chronic hepatitis C are not routinely interviewed by public health. However, NNPH maintains laboratory-based surveillance for all reports of HCV, both acute and chronic. These data are made available each year in NNHP's Annual Communicable Disease Report.

Disease Reporting

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been a reportable condition in Nevada since 1992 per Nevada Administrative Code NAC 441A. Nevada healthcare providers and laboratories are required to report all HCV infections (both acute and chronic) to their local health jurisdiction. Providers in Washoe County can report HCV infections to Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) using the Nevada Communicable Disease Report Form.

HCV Data and Reports

Provider Guidance and Resources

Patient Education Materials

Hep C Patient education

Last modified on 12/14/2023