Roadmap to Zero- The Elimination of Hepatitis C by 2030

Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus, if left untreated it can cause permanent damage to the liver over many years. One in five people with liver damage associated with the virus will go on to develop Cirrhosis, which increases their risk of developing liver cancer. 1 Most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs.

From 2004 to 2019, 15,700 people in Ireland have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Each year around 600 to 700 people find out they have Hepatitis C and there could be as many as 30,000 people in Ireland living with the virus. 2 To date, over 5,000 patients in Ireland have been treated with highly effective Direct Acting Antiviral DAA’s for hepatitis C. 3