Health department officials in Philadelphia have estimated as few as 2 percent of individuals infected with the hepatitis C virus actually receive adequate treatment, according to a Reuters report.
Between getting tested initially, actually having test results confirmed and receiving care, many with the virus end up getting lost in the system.
In Philadelphia specifically — a city which requires hepatitis C cases be reported — roughly 47,000 residents are estimated to be infected with the virus. And yet, the health department received only 13,596 positive test results, according to the report.
Of the cases that were reported and tested positive, only half had their results confirmed with a second test and even fewer went on to receive treatment.
According to an official of the Hepatitis C Surveillance Program at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health who spoke to Reuters, getting physicians to test the right people for the virus can help increase the number of people getting care.