As per WHO, an estimated 71 million people worldwide have chronic hepatitis C infection with approx 4 lakhs people die each year from HCV induced liver disease. Hepatitis C prevalence in India is estimated to be more than 6 million cases. Around 60-80% of infected persons go on to develop chronic HCV infection which carries a risk of liver cirrhosis between 15- 30% within next 20 yrs. Early 1980s: The term nonA-nonB viral hepatitis came in use for blood-borne Hepatitis caused by unknown etiological agent other than hepatitis A and B.
It took over a decade to discover the virus. 1989: HCV Discovered by Houghton HCV viral clone was discovered by him through evaluation of complete genetic material of chimpanzee inoculated with virus As HIV was very rampant during same period, all the research was directed to treat HIV infection. 1992: HCV antibody detection tests became part of blood donor…
