Omsk Oblast battles Russia's worst hepatitis C outbreak in 2025

Russia’s Omsk Oblast is facing a sharp rise in viral hepatitis cases. The region now has one of the highest infection rates in the country, far above the national average. In 2025, Omsk Oblast recorded 1,819 cases of hepatitis C, a rate of 100.39 per 100,000 people. This is more than double the previous average of 44.22 cases per 100,000 between 2022 and 2024. The region also reported 2,143 cases of chronic viral hepatitis, equivalent to 118.27 per 100,000.

Omsk Oblast is not alone. A total of 35 Russian regions now exceed the national average for viral hepatitis infections. Kamchatka Krai, the Republic of Crimea, and St. Petersburg have rates roughly twice as high as the rest of the country. The surge in cases places Omsk Oblast among the worst-affected areas. Its hepatitis C rate is now more than double the national average. The trend highlights a growing public health challenge in multiple regions.