Hepatitis C
Version: November 2025
Introduction
Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). It primarily spreads through blood-to-blood contact, commonly via sharing needles, unscreened blood transfusions, or from mother to child during childbirth. Acute Hepatitis C is often asymptomatic, though symptoms like fever and fatigue can appear within weeks of exposure. Chronic Hepatitis C may lead to serious liver damage, cirrhosis, or cancer if untreated. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests to detect HCV antibodies and RNA. Antiviral medications offer effective treatment, with a high cure rate. Preventative measures focus on safe injection practices and screening blood products.
Highlights
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Hepatitis C cases in mainland China peaked in early 2020s before gradually declining from 2023 onwards. Recent data for November 2025 shows a continued decrease in case numbers.
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Deaths peaked in late 2023, with a significant surge in November and December. Although fluctuating, mortality rates remained high through 2024.
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As of November 2025, deaths are still considerably higher compared to earlier years; however, they are decreasing from the critical peak experienced in late 2024.
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Sustained efforts in treatment and prevention programs are essential to address the ongoing high mortality rates and maintain the reduction in Hepatitis C cases.
Analysis
Cases Analysis
The Hepatitis C data from Chinese mainland from November 2015 to November 2025 reveals significant fluctuations in both cases and deaths. Initially, from 2015 to 2019, cases remain stable, ranging between 16,000 and 24,000 monthly. Death counts are generally low, often in single digits, indicating effective management or low fatality rates. An anomaly occurs in February 2020, where cases drop to 9,068. This dip coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially impacting healthcare service accessibility and health-seeking behavior.
From 2022 onwards, there is a troubling trend—a significant rise in deaths despite relatively stable case numbers. Starting in early 2022, deaths increase sharply, hitting triple digits by mid-2023 and soaring over 500 by 2024. This suggests challenges in healthcare delivery, disease management, or possibly viral mutation leading to increased severity. The rise may correlate with overwhelmed healthcare systems or reduced treatment effectiveness. This stark contrast to earlier years highlights the need for renewed public health strategies, focusing on treatment efficacy and healthcare infrastructure.
Despite some decline in death rates by late 2025, they remain significantly elevated compared to earlier years, underscoring the urgency for an enhanced approach to control and mitigate Hepatitis C impacts. Overall, addressing these challenges is crucial for protecting public health in the region.
Deaths Analysis
A detailed analysis of hepatitis C deaths on the Chinese mainland reveals a troubling upward trend over the studied period. Initially, from late 2015 to early 2017, the reported deaths were relatively stable and low, with monthly numbers typically in the single digits or low teens, even as cases hovered around 20,000. This stability persisted into 2017, where deaths occasionally reached the teens but showed little correlation with case numbers.
However, by mid-2022, there was a significant increase in monthly deaths, signaling a potential shift in the disease’s severity or its management challenges. This upward trend becomes more pronounced in 2023, with deaths escalating to alarming figures such as 224 in October and 393 in December, despite less fluctuation in case counts. In 2024 and 2025, the high mortality rates persist, reaching a peak of 589 deaths in December 2024, even as the case numbers appear to stabilize or decline.
This trend suggests possible issues such as reduced healthcare response capacity, the emergence of more virulent strains, or external socio-economic and environmental factors increasing the lethality of hepatitis C. The disconnect between stable case counts and rising deaths calls for urgent investigation and targeted intervention to address this public health challenge, making the understanding and management of hepatitis C outcomes crucial in this region.