title: Epidemiology of hepatitis C in Belgium: present and future.
abstract: Based on currently available epidemiological data, Belgium appears to belong to the low endemicity countries for hepatitis C, with an estimated annual incidence of 3/100,000 clinical cases; a survey among the Flemish population showed an overall seroprevalence of 0.87% (1993-1994). There was no statistically significant difference in anti-HCV prevalence between men and women. A significant increase of the anti-HCV prevalence with increasing age was observed. In the French Community there was an overall seroprevalence of 0.6%. Developing surveillance for hepatitis C has proven to be difficult, since it requires confirmation tests. Techniques detecting hepatitis C antibodies in saliva will replace the need for serum samples, making prevalence studies more accessible.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiologie en Sociale Geneeskunde, Centrum voor de Evaluatie van Vaccinaties, Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Damme
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thyssen
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Loock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate