Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Egypt: Current Situation and Future Perspective

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most challenging public health problem in Egypt where the prevalence is the highest in the world and its history, epidemiology, risk factors, genotype and model of care are unique. On World Hepatitis Day (July 28, 2016), the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) launched NO hep, the first global movement aimed at galvanizing support toward the elimination of viral hepatitis (i.e. 90% reduction in new chronic infections, 65% reduction in mortality compared with a scenario in which interventions would continue at the current level), by 2030. In the same context, Egypt has established the plan of action for the prevention, care and treatment of viral hepatitis 2014-2018. In order to achieve the elimination target in Egypt by 2030, political, community and health care system cooperation and commitments must be met. Understanding and accurately describing the magnitude of the problem, its determinants and barriers to control are crucial to achieve the target. This article reviews the problem in Egypt from a present and future perspective elucidating the current situation and future prediction adopting different scenarios. Available on line at: www.jhiph.alexu.edu.eg Print ISSN: 2357-0601 Online ISSN: 2357-061X ¥Correspondence: Email: ingy.elghitany@gmail.com Suggested Citations: EL-Ghitany EM. Hepatitis C virus infection in Egypt: Current situation and future perspective. JHIPH.2019;49(1):1-9. Global Epidemiology of Hepatitis C epatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide public health problem where its seroprevalence had an estimated 2.8% increase over the last decade, corresponding to more than 185 million infections (3% of the world’s population). Nearly three quarters of infected individuals are living in middle income countries. 2) China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, India, and Russia together accounted for more than half of total infections. A recent estimation showed that 119 million global adult inhabitants have chronic HCV infection, with 3-4 million new infections and 350000 to 500000 deaths occurring annually as a consequence of HCV-related complications. (1, 4) HCV genotype 1 is the most prevalent worldwide (49.1%), followed by genotype 3 (17.9%), 4 (16.8%) and 2 (11%). Genotype 4 was most common (71%) in North Africa and the Middle East, but when Egypt was excluded, it accounted for 34%, while genotype 1 accounted for 46% of infections across the same region. 3) Although HCV incidence seems to decrease, HCV-related mortality will continue to increase over the next couple of decades. HCV is the leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). About 55%-85% of HCV infected cases become chronic active cases and pass through the way of developing fibrosis, cirrhosis, and may progress till become decompensated cirrhosis and HCC.