Nearly 2,000 Scots unaware they suffer from hepatitis C

Published on 02/02/2010 21:57

HALF of all hepatitis C cases in Scotland go undiagnosed each year, campaigners warned.

For every person diagnosed with hepatitis C in Scotland, there is another one unaware they have the virus, according to the Hepatitis C Trust.

Charles Gore, chief executive of the trust, issued the warning at the launch of their first Scottish office yesterday.

Speaking at the event in the Scottish Parliament he said: "With diagnostic rates now sitting at more than 1,700 new patients each year, the hepatitis C figures in Scotland are giving concern.

"However, what is more alarming is that we also know there are another 1,700 people each year unaware they have the condition.

"Current treatment for chronic hepatitis C continues to improve and can clear the virus in more than half those treated.

"But that statistic is greatly diluted if we have not identified half of the known patients."

Mr Gore said in the longer term this meant that patients were not known in the NHS system and they are not getting access to support or treatment to help cure the virus.