40,000 with hepatitis C in the North West

The North West annual hepatitis C report reveals that at least 40,000
adults in the region are estimated to be infected with hepatitis C.

The figure of 40,000 is likely to be an underestimate as hepatitis C can be a ‘silent disease’, with some people being infected for a long time without symptoms. This means many more people may have the disease than have been diagnosed so far.

Those most at risk of contracting hepatitis C infection are people who inject drugs or have injected drugs in the past, and share injecting equipment. They are likely to be at increased risk even if they injected only once or twice in the past.

Dr. Evdokia Dardamissis, Consultant in Health Protection, said: “Hepatitis C remains a major public health problem and one that we are actively addressing in partnership with the NHS and drug services.

“We are working closely with our partners to improve surveillance and research and to
increase public awareness, particularly amongst injecting drug users because they are at greatest risk in this region.

“If we can raise public awareness, the people who are most at risk can take measures to prevent themselves from becoming infected and those who are already infected can be brought into highly effective treatment programmes.

“An important message is that people who believe that they may have been exposed to hepatitis C infection should arrange to be tested for the virus. Tests can be arranged through GPs or drug services. Simple measures such as using sterile injecting equipment and not sharing personal items like toothbrushes and razors will minimise chances of being exposed to hepatitis C."