inPractice® - Transmission and Prevalence

HCV transmission is most efficient through percutaneous exposure to contaminated blood, which is often present in needles and drug preparation materials shared among PWID^{[Zibbell 2015; Doerrbecker 2013]}
The WHO estimates that 5.6 million (8%) of the 71 million individuals with chronic HCV infection worldwide are currently engaged with IDU, whereas a greater yet undefined proportion were formerly engaged with IDU^{[WHO 2017]}
HCV prevalence is greater among PWID, with seroprevalence rates of 10% to 70% among PWID in the US and Europe^{[AASLD-IDSA HCV]}