Hepatitis C Rates in Utah Declining, According to CDC Data
SALT LAKE CITY — New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a significant decline in hepatitis C infection rates in Utah. The state, which previously recorded rates four times higher than the national average, now boasts a rate of just under six new infections per 100,000 people.
Amelia Salmanson, Preventable Disease Manager at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, noted that the infection rate dropped to 3.8 per 100,000 in 2024. This positive trend began in 2021 and is attributed to Utah’s effective surveillance systems that monitor case rates daily.
Hepatitis C is often asymptomatic, yet it poses severe health risks, potentially leading to liver failure or cancer. The CDC estimates that over 2 million Americans are unaware they carry the virus. Salmanson stresses that hepatitis C spreads solely through blood, urging individuals not to share personal items, like razors or glucose monitors.
Though no vaccine exists, highly effective treatment options are available. In conjunction with National Hepatitis Testing Day, Salmanson emphasizes the importance of testing and treatment as key prevention methods. For testing locations, individuals can visit gettested.cdc.gov.
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