Figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show reported cases of Hepatitis C infection in England have increased by 4.5% from 8,196 cases reported in 2008 to 8,563 cases in 2009.
There has been a steady increase in the number of laboratory confirmed diagnoses of hepatitis C infection since 1995. These gradual yearly increases indicate an increase in public awareness with more people coming forward to get tested, according to the HPA.