State encourages hepatitis C testing as number of cases continues to grow in Wisconsin

CLARIFICATION: The link between blood transfusions and hepatitis C cases in the story above refers to blood transfusions performed prior to 1992, when stricter regulations were put into place.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the current risk for contracting hepatitis C from a blood transfusion is about 1 in 2 million.

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DE PERE, Wis. (WLUK) -- More than 3,000 cases of hepatitis C were reported in Wisconsin during 2017 and many of those infected were over the age of 55.

Debbie Armbruster, the Health Officer for the De Pere Health Department said hepatitis C is commonly known as the "silent killer," and many times the signs and symptoms go unnoticed. According to the state Department of Health Services more than 90,000 people are estimated to be living with hepatitis C, but only 42,000 cases have been identified and reported.

"Hepatitis C is a virus, a virus of the liver. Back in the day when it was diagnosed it was considered not that dangerous, but as time went on and more research we have found that it is very significant," said Armbruster.

The lack of awareness about the virus is why Baby Boomers, or those born between 1945-1965, are five times more likely to have the virus. Health officials say many cases resulted from blood transfusions received prior to stricter regulations being put in place in 1992.

"In the past before blood was strictly regulated in blood transfusion and organ transplants, people did not know there was hepatitis C in the blood or organs," said Armbruster. "Because that group has never been tested for hepatitis C and may have contracted it before, they are now showing signs and symptoms of liver disease and cancers, " she said.

During the last 10 years, the number of hepatitis C cases in Wisconsin have tripled in white women ages 15-29 because of an increase in injected drug use; in 2017 more than 500 cases were reported in Northeast Wisconsin alone.

The Centers for Disease Control has now started a campaign to help educate and encourage testing for all ages here in Wisconsin.