Hepatitis C Outbreaks in People who Inject Drugs

The highest reported incidence of acute hepatitis C in the United States is now among persons aged 20–29 years. In recent years, there has been an emerging HCV epidemic among young PWIDs, particularly in rural and suburban settings.

The opioid misuse epidemic has substantially increased the transmission risk of blood-borne viruses, including hepatitis C virus and HIV, through injection drug use. The following documents provide guidance on how to prepare for, detect, investigate and respond to an hepatitis C or HIV outbreak among people who inject drugs.

• Managing HIV and Hepatitis C Outbreaks Among People Who Inject Drugs – A Guide For State and Local Health Department pdf icon[PDF – 102 pages]
  • Summary of Considerations for Management of HIV and Hepatitis C Outbreaks Among People Who Inject Drugs – A Checklist for State And Local Health Departments pdf icon[PDF – 1 page]
  • Tennessee Department of Health: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) & Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Outbreak Response Plan pdf icon[PDF – 48 pages]
• NACCHO: Community Response Planning for Outbreaks of HIV/Hepatitis Among Persons Who Inject Drugsexternal icon