Thousands unaware they have hepatitis

[Guest guest]

http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Health & F=1 & id=19031

Thousands unaware they have hepatitis

26/3/2010

An estimated 12,000 to 14,000 people in Wales are chronically infected with

hepatitis C, the majority of whom are unaware of their infection.

The risk of catching hepatitis B and C increases if people partake in high-risk

behaviours, such as injecting drugs or having unprotected sex.

Now Health Minister Hart has approved a plan to tackle blood borne

hepatitis developed by Public Health Wales.

A total of £1.37 million of Welsh Assembly Government funding has been allocated

to deliver the plan.

The plan aims to identify people at risk of blood borne viral hepatitis and

prevent further transmission of the virus and, to improve care for people living

with hepatitis B and C.

These viruses spread from person to person predominately by contact with

infected blood and mainly affect the liver.

The infections can cause serious diseases and even death, but can be prevented

and are treatable.

The plan provides a clear timeframe for the planning and provision of key

services in Wales that will:

Reduce the transmission of blood borne hepatitis infection in Wales;

Reduce the pool of undiagnosed infection;

Improve the provision of treatment and support to infected individuals; and,

Monitor and evaluate treatment and prevention programmes.

Dr n Lyons, Head of the Public Health Wales Blood Borne Virus Programme,

said: “Transmission of blood borne viruses can be prevented but is common

amongst high-risk groups in Wales. If prevention measures are not implemented,

the number of people infected by hepatitis B and C will rise and this adds to

the disease burden in Wales.

“The new action plan sets out how we can make a real difference in Wales, by

reducing the transmission of hepatitis infection, reducing the pool of

undiagnosed infection and improving the treatment and support available to those

who are infected.”

Mrs Hart said: “Hepatitis has major health implications for the individual and,

if undiagnosed, for others.

“The challenge is to reduce ongoing transmission and reduce the prevalence of

hepatitis which is compounded by issues of social exclusion and marginalisation

amongst some of the groups at highest risk of infection in Wales.

“By early diagnosis and intervention as well as greater awareness, we will

hopefully see a reduction in hepatitis in Wales over the coming years.”

The blood-borne viral hepatitis action plan is available on the Welsh Assembly

Government’s website at:

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/protection/communicabledisease/publications/bl\

ood/?lang=en

More information on the Public Health Wales Blood Borne Virus Programme can be

found at:

www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=457 & pid=27685

[Guest guest]

http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Health & F=1 & id=19031

Thousands unaware they have hepatitis

26/3/2010

An estimated 12,000 to 14,000 people in Wales are chronically infected with

hepatitis C, the majority of whom are unaware of their infection.

The risk of catching hepatitis B and C increases if people partake in high-risk

behaviours, such as injecting drugs or having unprotected sex.

Now Health Minister Hart has approved a plan to tackle blood borne

hepatitis developed by Public Health Wales.

A total of £1.37 million of Welsh Assembly Government funding has been allocated

to deliver the plan.

The plan aims to identify people at risk of blood borne viral hepatitis and

prevent further transmission of the virus and, to improve care for people living

with hepatitis B and C.

These viruses spread from person to person predominately by contact with

infected blood and mainly affect the liver.

The infections can cause serious diseases and even death, but can be prevented

and are treatable.

The plan provides a clear timeframe for the planning and provision of key

services in Wales that will:

Reduce the transmission of blood borne hepatitis infection in Wales;

Reduce the pool of undiagnosed infection;

Improve the provision of treatment and support to infected individuals; and,

Monitor and evaluate treatment and prevention programmes.

Dr n Lyons, Head of the Public Health Wales Blood Borne Virus Programme,

said: “Transmission of blood borne viruses can be prevented but is common

amongst high-risk groups in Wales. If prevention measures are not implemented,

the number of people infected by hepatitis B and C will rise and this adds to

the disease burden in Wales.

“The new action plan sets out how we can make a real difference in Wales, by

reducing the transmission of hepatitis infection, reducing the pool of

undiagnosed infection and improving the treatment and support available to those

who are infected.”

Mrs Hart said: “Hepatitis has major health implications for the individual and,

if undiagnosed, for others.

“The challenge is to reduce ongoing transmission and reduce the prevalence of

hepatitis which is compounded by issues of social exclusion and marginalisation

amongst some of the groups at highest risk of infection in Wales.

“By early diagnosis and intervention as well as greater awareness, we will

hopefully see a reduction in hepatitis in Wales over the coming years.”

The blood-borne viral hepatitis action plan is available on the Welsh Assembly

Government’s website at:

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/protection/communicabledisease/publications/bl\

ood/?lang=en

More information on the Public Health Wales Blood Borne Virus Programme can be

found at:

www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=457 & pid=27685