The beginning of ending hepatitis C virus: A Summary of the 26th International Symposium on Hepatitis C Virus and Related Viruses

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects ~71 million people worldwide, and 399,000 people die annually due to HCV‐related liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The use of direct‐acting antivirals results in a sustained virologic response in >95% of patients with chronic HCV infection. However, several issues remain to be solved to eradicate HCV. At the 26th International Symposium on Hepatitis C Virus and Related Viruses (HCV2019) held in Seoul, South Korea, October 5–8, 2019, virologists, immunologists, and clinical scientists discussed these remaining issues and how we can achieve the elimination of HCV.