Spain moves towards eliminating hepatitis C as a public health problem

On World Hepatitis C Day, the Ministry of Health reaffirms its commitment to eliminating this disease as a public health problem in Spain. New infection rates show significant progress in the fight against hepatitis Cwhich is in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 goals. Actually, Since the approval of direct acting antivirals (DAAs) in 2015, more than 167,000 patients have been treated, with a therapeutic efficacy rate of 95 percent..

A recent study published in the prestigious journal Lancet Regional Health Europe, shows global hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence in Spain has fallen to 0.15 percent in 2022. This translates into approximately 57,587 people with active infection, of whom an estimated 29 percent are still undiagnosed.

These findings, the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the European Center for Infectious Diseases (ECDC) and the University of Cyprus, are based on a new multi-parameter evidence synthesis (MPES) methodology. The study highlights the need for specific interventions in groups with higher prevalence of infection, such as intravenous drug users and chemsex users.

Antiviral treatment

Success in reducing the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been largely attributed to access to direct-acting antiviral treatments (DAAs). Since 2015, more than 167,000 patients in Spain have received this treatment, with a therapeutic effectiveness of 94.73 percent.

The Ministry of Health continues to work towards early detection and equal access to HCV prevention and treatment. Guidelines for screening for HCV infection, approved in 2020 and revised in 2022, provide a comprehensive framework for diagnosis and treatment, focusing on people at risk of infection.

The Ministry of Health reaffirms its commitment to eliminating this disease by integrating prevention plans for HIV, sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis. This comprehensive strategy will enable a more coordinated and effective response to achieve the goal of eliminating hepatitis C in Spain.

In addition, it notes the improvement in early detection of hepatitis C in recent years and reaffirms its commitment to further progress towards the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030.

In any case, the prevalence of HCV in Spain is 0.15 percent at the population level, one of the lowest in Europe.

To improve early diagnosis of HCV infection, the Public Health Commission a year ago agreed to add new populations and situations to the HCV Screening Guidelines: persons with severe mental disorders, overdoses caused by illicit drugs, and homelessness, as well as indications for identifying and diagnosing recurrent infections.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. It can occur acutely (short-term) or chronically (long-term), and can also be fatal.

Hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood, which can happen through sharing needles or syringes or performing unsafe medical procedures such as transfusions of untested blood products..

Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).

Although there is no vaccine against hepatitis C, it can be treated with antiviral medications.

Early detection and treatment can prevent serious liver damage and improve long-term health.

Acute infections caused by the hepatitis C virus are usually asymptomatic and for the most part are not life-threatening. Approximately 30 percent (15–45 percent) of infected people clear the virus spontaneously within 6 months, without the need for treatment.

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