World Hepatitis C Awareness Day to be observed on October 1

September 30, 2005

Thursday, September 29, 2005 19:00 IST

Our Bureau, Mumbai

Hepatitis C patients from across the world will come together to spread

awareness on the disease, by observing October 1, 2005 as Hepatitis C

Awareness Day.

The objective of the World Hepatitis-C awareness day is to draw the

attention of people towards the gravity of the virus that has emerged as a

major global healthcare problem, infecting approximately three per cent of

the world's population.

Hepatitis C, which was once relatively unheard of, today affects 170 million

people worldwide and over 10.9 million people in India. Every year the

number of those newly infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is on a rise

by three to four million worldwide. National trends indicate a sizeable

concentration of Hepatitis C cases in North Eastern India. Among the metros,

4 lakh Delhiites are suffering from Hepatitis C and Mumbai accounts for 3

lakh cases. Gujarat also carries a patient load of 3.37 lakh.

Going by sheer numbers, Hepatitis C has outpaced the HIV/AIDS menace in

India. Moreover, approximately 30 percent of HIV patients also

simultaneously suffer from Hepatitis C.

The groups at risk for acquiring the disease include, intravenous drug

users, haemodialysis patients, and health-care workers with exposure to

blood and blood products, transfusion and transplant recipients and people

with tattoos.

Dr. Niranjan Banka, Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Bombay

Hospital said, " Screening of blood for the Hepatitis C virus was made

mandatory only from 1 June, 2001. Majority of people who have received blood

transfusion prior to this period are most vulnerable to get the virus.

People from the high-risk groups should be conscientious about Hepatitis C.

They must get their blood screened by a liver function test and an anti-HCV

test. "

Hepatitis C is a blood-born viral infection of the liver that was first

identified only in 1989. Few people realise that they are infected as the

symptoms are non-specific (such as fatigue) and people tend to become aware

when their disease is quite advanced.

Today the most common route of transmission is use of unsterilised needles

(such as those used in tattooing and by intravenous drug users) and

syringes.

It is the most infectious virus having 50% chronicity and is responsible for

large number of patients affected with cirrhosis. If not treated early may

require liver transplant or may further develop to liver cancer. It is

largely asymptomatic and has a tendency to cause chronic liver disease.

Low levels of awareness about the disease and treatment options do not allow

the existing treatment options available to be fully utilised. Also, unlike

Hepatitis B there is no known vaccine available to protect a person against

Hepatitis C. Since 2001 Government has it mandatory for blood banks to

screen the blood for Hepatitis C. Research reveals that only 6% of the blood

banks in India screen the blood for hepatitis C.

" Today, with innovations in technology such as pegylated interferon alfa-2a,

between to 80-90% of people with Hepatitis C can be successfully treated.

Data of four years follow-up has shown that 98% of patients are still

disease free. However we believe that first and foremost it is essential to

raise awareness and detection to combat the spread of the disease, " informed

Dr. G. L. Telang, Managing Director, Roche Scientific Company India Pvt.

Ltd.

http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=29638 & sectionid=

September 30, 2005