North West a hub for Hepatitis C infection

Dec 15 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

HEALTH experts have warned at risk groups in Merseyside and Cheshire to get tested for Hepatitis C after new figures showed a worrying increase in cases.

A report released yesterday reveals more than a quarter of England's new Hepatitis C cases confirmed between 1992 and 2006 were in the North West – the UK hotbed for the disease – and it is estimated 5,816 were in Merseyside and Cheshire.

During the same period the East Midlands had just 3,296 cases confirmed and the North East 1,865.

The North West’s total was 14,783, and England's stands at 62,786.

Nationally, cases are rising but improvement in testing programmes could account for some of the increase.

The report also reveals the confirmed cases are the tip of the iceberg, with most Hepatitis C carriers not knowing they have the disease.

Dr Catherine Quigley, regional epidemiologist with Health Protection Agency North West, said: “We know from today’s report that there are more laboratory confirmed cases of Hepatitis C in this region than anywhere else in the country.

“We also know that the laboratory confirmed cases only represent a proportion of the true levels of infection in our community.

“We urge people in Merseyside who might have been exposed to the infection to get tested because treatment has advanced considerably since the disease was first discovered in 1991.

“If we can identify more positive cases, these people can be brought into treatment that will help to reduce or avoid the more severe complications of hepatitis, such as liver cancer.”

Hepatitis C is contracted through contact with infected blood and less commonly other body fluids. The biggest single risk factor for Hepatitis C is injecting drug-use but it can be contracted in other ways. Symptoms can be mild or non existent for many years but its effects can be fatal.

Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop, recently died after contracting the infection through a blood transfusion in 1971. She developed cirrhosis of the liver and died after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Dr Quigley added “But it’s not just a case of finding the infected and bringing them into treatment. We are issuing advice that we hope will give people the information they need to avoid becoming infected in the first place.”

The advice includes never sharing drug injecting equipment, using condoms if you or your partner has the disease and not to share razors or toothbrushes.

ANYONE who thinks they might be at risk should contact their GP or call the Hepatitis C Information Line on 0800 451 451. Alternatively, visit the website: http://www.hepc.nhs.uk/help

To see the whole report, log on to www.hpa.org.uk/ publications

lizawilliams