Current hep C origin theory is that it may have come from horses...

[Hep Editors]

While the virus found in horses is similar to the hepatitis C virus, the scientific evidence linking it to hepatitis C is still far from clear.  Where the virus originated in humans, however, is on more solid ground—West Africa. 

So, how did HCV develop into such a huge problem, infecting an estimated 130-150 million people worldwide?  How did genotype 1 become the most common genotype of hepatitis C in the world?

http://hepmag.com/articles/hepatitis_c_genotype_2502_26895.shtml

[davidsconfused]

What I have been curious about and can't find info on is how HCV spread before injections and blood transfusions. It's evidently just not that easy to get without direct blood to blood contact. I've had it for 40 years, been married almost 38 years and my wife doesn't have any antibodies for it.

[Mike]

The general consensus is that HCV spread through sexual activities, poor hygienic practices and poor medical practices (blood letting, nonexistent universal precautions et. al.), which were prevalent world-wide prior to the 20th century.

As medicine advanced with the advent of the hypodermic needle, transfusions and so on, transmission of the virus exploded from small, isolated pockets to the world-wide population. This was accelerated by world travel, war and so on.

Mike

[atomic dog]

Also reportedly spread through snorting heroin and coke, since the fine capillaries that line the nasal passages are an easy entry point. Good article.

[Philadelphia]

Darn horses. They've taken all my time, my money, and my weekends. Now I can blame them for the hep c as well.

Off to pick up more manure ...