HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN IRAN: EPIDEMIOLOGY OF AN EMERGING INFECTION

Hepatitis C infection has come to the top of virus-induced liver diseases in many parts of the world. In Iran, it seems that its prevalence in general population is less than 1%, which is much lower than in most of the regional countries. However, the infection is emerging mostly due to problem of intravenous drug abuse and needle-sharing in the country. On the other hand, an increase in number of centers providing hemodialysis and transfusion facilities for hemoglobinopathies generated new sources and susceptible populations in Iran. This article aims to summarize available data of Iran and to compare them with those of similar countries to find better preventive means.