UK 'worst in Europe at treating hepatitis C'

Published on Friday 30 September 2005 01:09

BRITAIN is the worst country in Europe at treating the deadly hepatitis C infection, experts claimed yesterday.

A new report by the Hepatitis C Trust reveals more than 100,000 lives are at risk because of inadequate screening and treatment for the illness, which can cause severe liver damage.

Charles Gore, the director of the Hepatitis C Trust, said rates of the disease are soaring in the UK and warned it could cost the NHS up to 8 billion over the next 30 years. He said: "Over 400,000 people in the UK with the virus are completely unaware of it.

"As a consequence, they are not in a position to make lifestyle decisions that could reduce liver damage, and may inadvertently be putting others at risk of infection."

Professor William Rosenberg, from the University of Southampton and an author of the report, added: "If we continue to do nothing, then between 100,000 and 300,000 people will have to endure preventable liver disease."