Report Reveals 1 in 25 People in Pakistan Has Hepatitis C

A recent report has revealed that 1 in every 25 people in Pakistan is affected by Hepatitis C, with the virus infecting 4.05% of the total population.

According to findings from the Localized Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Program, the prevalence of Hepatitis C is on the rise across the country. The report highlights that 3.33% of young individuals, 4.42% of adults, and 1.48% of children are infected.

Alarmingly, the infection rate among drug users is significantly higher, reaching 43.42%. The report also details a hepatitis prevention campaign conducted in seven union councils of Rawalpindi, where 47,728 individuals from 10,347 households were screened.

During this process, over 2,048 men and women tested positive for Hepatitis B and C, while 22 individuals were found to be infected with both types of the virus simultaneously.

Among the infected individuals, eight were pregnant women, all of whom underwent PCR testing to confirm their diagnosis.

The report further states that 2,048 people in Rawalpindi have been diagnosed with hepatitis, with the infection rate among individuals suffering from other medical conditions reaching 46.92%.