
Hepatitis C (hep C) is a viral disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and transmitted by blood, primarily in health care settings. It can progressively damage the liver, and, if left untreated, cause liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. Hep C is the leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplants. In addition, the virus is associated with a variety of conditions beyond liver disease, including diabetes and depression. In July 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that over 150 Million people are chronically infected worldwide. The annual number of deaths due to HCV is estimated at 350,000 globally, or nearly 1,000 per day. The HCV pandemic is concentrated in middle-income countries (MICs); while 15% of the 150 million people with chronic HCV live in High income countries (HICs), 73% live in middle-income countries (MICs) and 12% in low-income countries (LICs).