CHULA VISTA – Thousands of people can live with hepatitis C for years without experiencing symptoms, but when the disease is diagnosed at an advanced stage, it can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.
Health experts emphasize that early detection is critical because hepatitis C can now be cured with highly effective antiviral medications. With that goal in mind, the McAlister Institute, in partnership with Every Moment Counts, will host a free hepatitis C screening event on Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its South Bay location, 1180 Third Ave., Suite C-3, in Chula Vista.
The initiative is designed to expand access to screening and treatment for a disease that continues to pose a significant public health challenge in San Diego County. According to the McAlister Institute, an estimated 50,000 county residents are living with chronic hepatitis C, many of them unaware they are infected.
San Diego County data show that 1,450 chronic hepatitis C cases and 77 acute hepatitis C cases were reported in 2025, down from 1,877 chronic cases and 94 acute cases reported in 2024. However, county health officials note that reported cases do not reflect the total number of people living with the infection.
People with a history of injection drug use remain among those at greatest risk because the virus is transmitted through blood exposure, including the sharing of needles or other injection equipment.
“Recovery is about more than treating addiction; it’s about supporting the whole person at every stage of the journey,” said Holly Lopez, Program Director of McAlister’s South Bay Regional Recovery Center. “By connecting individuals with testing and treatment, we not only improve their health, but also strengthen families and build healthier communities,” she added.
The event will also provide educational information about hepatitis C and guidance on accessing treatment. It is being held in recognition of World Hepatitis Day, observed each year on July 28 and promoted by the World Health Organization to raise awareness about prevention, vaccination, testing, and treatment. For more information, visit mcalisterinc.org.