|
Up to one in 12 people worldwide are infected with either hepatitis B or C, figures revealed.
More
than 1.5 million die as a result of the illnesses, according to
statistics compiled by the The World Hepatitis Alliance, a newly formed
Non-Governmental Organisation.
The report, which coincides with
the first World Hepatitis Day, showed that an estimated 500 million
people in the world are infected with either hepatitis B or C, viral
infections transmitted in the blood which cause inflammation of the
liver.
Charles Gore, president of the World Hepatitis Alliance
and chief executive of the UK charity the Hepatitis C Trust, said:
"These diseases are as widespread and as deadly as HIV/Aids, TB and
malaria, but there is nowhere near the level of awareness nor the
political will to tackle them. This must change because this huge death
toll is largely preventable."
"Globally, information is so scarce
that it is a major impediment to effective action. Without it
Governments are simply working in the dark,"
In the UK it is
estimated between 280,000 and 515,000 people have hepatitis C and up to
320,000 have hepatitis B, according to figures released last year by
the Health Protection Agency.
There is considerable dispute about
the exact number however as most people with these viruses are not
aware that they have them.
Hepatitis B is spread through the
exchange of blood and body fluids. It can be caught through unprotected
sex, unsterilised needles or contaminated blood products. Hepatitis C
is also spread through the exchange of blood or blood products and
through sharing needles..
As part of a nationwide campaign to
increase awareness of the disease and the need for testing, MPs in
Westminster, MSPs in Scotland and Assembly Members in Wales are
themselves getting tested for hepatitis B and C.
Rt Hon Alan
Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Health, said: "I welcome World
Hepatitis Day as a means of raising awareness of the importance of
preventing, diagnosing and treating hepatitis B and C, which are
important public health issues."
 |
News 
Subscribe to this comment's feed