Hepatitis C diagnoses in England rose by more than a third last year.
Figures released by Public Health England (PHE) in its annual hepatitis C report show that laboratory confirmed new diagnoses of hepatitis C infections reported in England rose to 10,873 cases in 2012, up from 7,882 cases in 2010 – when statutory notification by diagnostic laboratories was first introduced.
In London, which accounts for 26 per cent of all hepatitis C cases reported in England in 2012, cases have almost trebled to 2,844 cases in 2012, up from 954 in 2010.
The report confirms that around 160,000 people are living with chronic hepatitis C virus infection in England – many of whom are unaware of their infection. Across the UK more than 215,000 individuals are thought to be chronically infected.
Dr Helen Harris, a hepatitis expert at PHE, who led the publication of the report, said:
“While there has been an increase in confirmed cases of hepatitis C infection, partly as a result of increased testing and partly because of improved laboratory reporting, sadly, many people chronically infected with hepatitis C remain unaware of their infection. For many, it can be several years or even decades before they develop symptoms. It is therefore vital to raise awareness about this condition so that more individuals are diagnosed and treated.
“Antiviral therapies exist that will clear the virus in most cases, yet only around three per cent of the chronically infected population in England access them each year.”
Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. The virus causes inflammation of the liver, and if left untreated, can result in chronic liver disease, liver failure, or even death. In the UK, the greatest risk of hepatitis C infection is through sharing equipment for injecting drugs.
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