[Incidence and Characteristics of Hepatitis C Virus in Busan Metropolitan City, Ulsan Metropolitan City, and Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea, 2018-2023].

The World Health Organization has proposed the Global Health Sector Strategy aimed at eliminating viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C). In response, the Republic of Korea (ROK) established the “First Basic Plan for the Management of Viral Hepatitis (hepatitis B and C), 2023–2027.” This report analyzes hepatitis C data from the Gyeongnam region (including Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do) over the last six years, based on case reports and epidemiological investigations collected since hepatitis C surveillance became mandatory. From 2018 to 2023, 14,256 hepatitis C cases, both patients and pathogen carriers, were reported in the Gyeongnam region through the Disease and Health Integrated Management System. The incidence rate per 100,000 population increased from 29.3 cases in 2018 to 40.9 cases in 2020, peaked, and then steadily decreased to 22.7 cases in 2023. The age-standardized incidence rates in Busan (1.6 to 2.0 times) and Gyeongsangnam-do (1.3 to 1.7 times) were significantly higher than the national average. The highest incidence was observed in individuals in their 50s (30.6%) and 60s (24.1%), with housewives (18.4%) being the most common occupation. The primary testing indication was hospitalization for other conditions (2.7%), highlighting the need for early screening and management of hospitalized patients. The most prevalent genotypes were type 1b (8.5%) and type 2 (4.0%), consistent with the most common genotypes reported in the ROK. These findings will guide the development of hepatitis C prevention and management strategies in the Gyeongnam region. In future, identifying high-prevalence areas and risk factors, along with expanding community-based screening and treatment programs, will aid in eliminating hepatitis C.