Studies on Hepatitis C Incidence in Tattooed Individuals in Australia and New Zealand
Yes, at least one study has been conducted in Australia examining hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence among tattooed blood donors, which found a very low risk of HCV transmission associated with tattoos in licensed premises 1.
Key Australian Research Findings
The 2019 Australian blood donor cohort study analyzed donors from 2013-2016 who had received tattoos and were deferred from donation 1. The study revealed:
- HCV incidence rate of 13.26 per 100,000 person-years among blood donors following tattoo deferral (all cases were hepatitis C infections in males)
- When other risk factors were accounted for, the risk decreased substantially to 4.4 per 100,000 person-years
- The calculated residual risk if tattooed donors were allowed to donate without restriction was estimated at 1 in 34 million
- The study concluded that BBV deferral for donors post-tattoo in Australia is not required for blood safety
Context from International Guidelines
The CDC guidelines provide important context for interpreting these findings 2:
- In other countries, HCV infection has been associated with tattooing practices
- In the United States, case-control studies found no association between HCV infection and tattooing exposures
- Among acute hepatitis C patients in CDC surveillance who denied injection drug use, only 1% reported tattooing history
- The guidelines note that while any percutaneous exposure has potential for bloodborne pathogen transmission, no U.S. data indicated persons with tattoo exposures alone were at increased risk
Important Caveats
The setting and regulation of tattooing matters significantly 3:
- Prison tattooing has been significantly associated with HCV transmission 4
- One limited study of injection drug users suggested increased HCV risk among those tattooed while in prison 3
- However, case-control studies indicate tattooing is not a risk factor for acquiring acute hepatitis C in general populations 3
The Australian study specifically examined tattoos obtained in what appears to be regulated settings (blood donors), which likely explains the very low transmission risk observed. The risk profile may differ substantially in unregulated settings, correctional facilities, or among populations with other HCV risk factors.
New Zealand Evidence
No specific studies from New Zealand examining HCV incidence in tattooed individuals were identified in the provided evidence. The Australian data may have some applicability given similar healthcare systems and tattoo regulation standards, but New Zealand-specific research would be needed for definitive conclusions about that population.