The prevalence of the Hepatitis C virus is around 0.5% in Iran and Jordan, 8% in Yemen, and spikes to 10% in Egypt. These figures come from blood donor sample data and therefore could underestimate the real prevalence in the populations in general.

The situation worsens among the population that need blood transfusions on a more regular basis such as hemophiliacs, and patients on hemodialysis that show a prevalence of 18% in Iran, 45% in Pakistan, 63% in Saudi Arabia, and 69% in Egypt.

The distribution of hepatitis genotypes in the region differs too. The genotype 4 of Hepatitis C is the most common in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Kuwait, where genotype 1 is most common in Iran, and genotypes 2 and 3 most common in Lebanon and Pakistan.

The latest treatments now available elsewhere for Hepatitis C are not readily available in the region. Better blood transfusion practices and hemodialysis protocols have to be put in place to help slow the transmission of the virus in the region.