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Hepatitis C Surveillance in South Australia

Hepatitis C Medical Notification 01/01/01 - 31/03/01

In the first quarter of 2001, medical notifications of hepatitis C infection were received for 283 individuals, 197 (70%) males and 86 (30%) females.

Medical notification data show 256 (90%) individuals were newly diagnosed with hepatitis C infection during this period while 27 individuals had earlier positive tests. Thirty-nine individuals reported a previous negative test; more than 12 months earlier in 24 cases and within the last year in 15 cases. In 109 cases the testing history was unknown. Past or present injecting drug use (IDU) was reported as a likely transmission route for hepatitis C virus in 188 cases (73%) (Table 2.1).

At the time of diagnosis, males covered a broad age range (89%, 20-49 years), while most females (63%) were in the 20 to 39 age groups (Table 2.2). Eight females and four males were aged less than 20 years at diagnosis; all had a history of IDU.

Newly acquired infections - Incident Cases

During the quarter, 19 incident cases (infection acquired in the previous 12 months) were identified. Sixteen had negative serology within the last 12 months and three presented with clinical hepatitis. The incident cases comprised four females and 15 males. The probable mode of transmission for hepatitis C virus was IDU in 17 cases (89%) (Table 2.3). In two cases no recent exposure to hepatitis C was identified, however one had occupational exposure to blood many years ago. Most (63%) were aged less than 30 years at diagnosis; two males and one female were less than 20 years of age. (Table 2.4). Collated laboratory data for hepatitis C antibody tests performed during the quarter are shown in Table 2.5.

Table 2.1 Hepatitis C infection, 01/01/01 - 31/03/01. 
Exposure category by sex.

^{1 includes IDU in combination with other categories
2 residence/medical treatment in a high prevalence country overseas
3 includes – positive sexual partner, possible occupational exposure, perinatal, body piercing}

Table 2.2 Hepatitis C infection, 01/01/01 - 31/03/01.
Age group by sex.

Table 2.3 Newly acquired infections (Incident cases*) of hepatitis C, 
01/01/01 - 31/03/01. Exposure category by sex.

^{* Incident cases are newly acquired infections, see text}

Table 2.4 Newly acquired infections (Incident cases*) of hepatitis C,
 01/01/01 - 31/03/01. Age group by sex.

^{* Incident cases are newly acquired infections, see text}

Table 2.5 Summary of hepatitis C antibody tests, 
01/01/01 - 31/03/01. Laboratory by sex.

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