[Recent advances in epidemiology, prevention and treatment of hepatitis C in China].

Abstract

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that can lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and it is one of the main causes of liver disease-related deaths globally and in China. The prevention and control of hepatitis C have consistently been priorities in China. A national seroepidemiological survey conducted in 2020 showed that the weighted prevalence of anti-HCV positivity among individuals aged 1-69 years in China was 0.28%, while the weighted prevalence of HCV RNA positivity was 0.15%, corresponding to an estimated 5.54 million individuals with anti-HCV positivity and 3.22 million individuals with HCV RNA positivity. Compared with the 2006 survey, the weighted prevalence of anti-HCV positivity decreased by 35%, indicating that substantial progress has been made in hepatitis C prevention and control in China. However, due to the large population size, the absolute number of infected individuals remains considerable. The introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has transformed hepatitis C into a curable disease. In recent years, the inclusion of multiple DAAs in the National Medical Insurance Drug List has improved patients' access to antiviral therapy.The National Health Commission and nine other departments jointly issued the Work Plan for the Action to Eliminate the Public Health Hazard of Hepatitis C (2021-2030) in 2021, and the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and nine other departments jointly released the Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis Prevention and Care (2025-2030) in 2025, providing policy support and planning for hepatitis C elimination in China. This article systematically reviews the current epidemiological status, disease burden characteristics, progress in prevention and treatment, and major challenges faced, providing a reference for advancing efforts to eliminate the public health threat posed by hepatitis C based on updated epidemiological data and recent developments in prevention and treatment in China.