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Denmark has signed the WHO strategy to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV). In the absence of a national strategy for elimination, a local action plan was developed in the Region of Southern Denmark (RSD). The aim of the strategy is to diagnose 90% of HCV-infected persons and treat 80% of those diagnosed by 2025. The strategy was developed by reviewing Danish data on HCV epidemiology and drug use to identify key populations for screening, linkage to care, and treatment. Based on available published data from 2016, an estimated 3028 persons in the RSD were HCV-RNA positive (population prevalence 0.21%). Of these, 1002 were attending clinical care, 1299 were diagnosed but not in clinical care, and 727 were undiagnosed. Three different interventions targeting the HCV-infected population and two interventions for HCV surveillance are planned to achieve elimination. The "C-Free-South" strategy aims to eliminate HCV in our region by identifying (90%) and treating (80%) of infected persons by the end of 2025, 5 years earlier than the WHO elimination target date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies presenting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection fatality rate (IFR) for healthy individuals are warranted. We estimate IFR by age and comorbidity status using data from a large serosurvey among Danish blood donors and nationwide data on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality.Methods: Danish blood donors aged 17-69 years donating blood October 2020-February 2021 were tested with a commercial SARS-CoV-2 total antibody assay. IFR was estimated for weeks 11 to 42, 2020 and week 43, 2020 to week 6, 2021, representing the first 2 waves of COVID-19 epidemic in Denmark.Results: In total, 84944 blood donors were tested for antibodies. The seroprevalence was 2% in October 2020 and 7% in February 2021. Among 3898039 Danish residents aged 17-69 years, 249 deaths were recorded. The IFR was low for people <51 years without comorbidity during the 2 waves (combined IFR=3.36 per 100000 infections). The IFR was below 3‰ for people aged 61-69 years without comorbidity. IFR increased with age and comorbidity but declined from the first to second wave.Conclusions: In this nationwide study, the IFR was very low among people <51 years without comorbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The pandemic due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has tremendous consequences for our societies. Knowledge of the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 is needed to accurately monitor the spread of the epidemic and to calculate the infection fatality rate (IFR). These measures may help the authorities make informed decisions and adjust the current societal interventions. The objective was to perform nationwide real-time seroprevalence surveying among blood donors as a tool to estimate previous SARS-CoV-2 infections and the population-based IFR. Methods Danish blood donors aged 17–69 years giving blood 6 April to 3 May were tested for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M and G antibodies using a commercial lateral flow test. Antibody status was compared between geographical areas, and an estimate of the IFR was calculated. Seroprevalence was adjusted for assay sensitivity and specificity taking the uncertainties of the test validation into account when reporting the 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The first 20 640 blood donors were tested, and a combined adjusted seroprevalence of 1.9% (95% CI,.8–2.3) was calculated. The seroprevalence differed across areas. Using available data on fatalities and population numbers, a combined IFR in patients <70 years is estimated at 89 per 100 000 (95% CI, 72–211) infections. Conclusions The IFR was estimated to be slightly lower than previously reported from other countries not using seroprevalence data. The IFR is likely severalfold lower than the current estimate. We have initiated real-time nationwide anti–SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveying of blood donations as a tool in monitoring the epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowing the prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) in risk groups is essential for elimination. The aim of the study was to assess HCV prevalence among people with different risk profiles and the feasibility of linking people with HCV to care. In Southern Denmark we tested people who were using shelters, cafés, and facilities for marginalized populations and the general population. We established a mobile clinic for HCV testing offering point-of-care HCV-antibody (HCV-Ab), point-of-care HCV RNA testing, and dried blood spot (DBS) testing. People with HCV infection were linked to care. Among 802 tested persons, we found an HCV-Ab /HCV RNA prevalence of 13% (n = 101) /3% (n = 24). We found a prevalence of 20% (n = 97)/5% (n = 24) among 475 persons tested at locations attended by people who inject drugs but 0%/0% when testing the general population. Of 24 people who were HCV RNA positive, 83% (n = 20) initiated treatment, 13% (n = 3) spontaneously cleared their infection, and one was lost to follow-up. General population testing has limited utility while focus on settings attended by people with increased HCV risk is more feasible. Linkage of people with a current HCV infection to care is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]