HCV Genotype 7, extremely rare, is a provisional entity discovered in patients who were presumably infected in Central Africa.

†HCV is a bloodborne virus and infection is commonly due to unsafe injection practices: inadequate sterilization of medical equipment and blood transfusion. Transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products was the main route before the 1990s; today, in Western countries, HCV is rarely transmitted by transfusion due to thorough screening of the blood and effective viral inactivation procedures.

RBV indicates ribavirin; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; and IVDU, intravenous drug use.