Robert Brown reveals shock rate of Hepatitis C in Scotland

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 29th Jul 2009

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has revealed that the number of new cases in Scotland of Hepatitis C has reached a record high.

Figures obtained by Mr Brown through Parliamentary Questions show that last year there were 1,735 new cases of Hepatitis C recorded in Scotland. This compares to 1,554 in 2007.

Following the disclosure, Mr. Brown made a call for the Scottish Government to do more to raise awareness of the disease and the risks associated with contracting it.

Commenting that "current campaigns are obviously not working well enough," he stated that messages and advice on this issue must be strengthened and repeated.

Mr Brown also revealed that an estimated 60% of those people suspected to be chronically infected with Hepatitis C remained undiagnosed by the end of 2008.

Robert Brown is Justice spokesperson for the Scottish Liberal Democrats

Mr Brown said:

"These are very concerning figures. They show that Hepatitis C is clearly still on the rise in Scotland. The number of new confirmed cases has risen by nearly 200 in the last year alone.

"It is also very worrying that up to 60 per cent of those suspected to be chronically infected with the disease remain undiagnosed. So the real number of Hepatitis C cases in Scotland will be even higher still.

"Hepatitis C can have a serious impact on individuals health and can lead to major complications and eventually death. Those who are infected with the virus often show no initial symptoms and only around half of those infected are ever fully cured of the disease.

"It is clear that not enough is being done to educate people about the risks of Hepatitis C.

"Given that at present there is no vaccine or cure, Ministers must do much more to raise awareness of this disease and its risks. Current campaigns are obviously not working well enough.

"There are obvious major risks for drug users but people forget there are also risks from unprotected sex, tattooing and even sharing razor blades with an infected person. It is clearly time that messages and advice on all these issues were strengthened and repeated.

"Clear guidance should also be given on how best to avoid contracting the disease. People who feel they may have been at risk of infection must be encouraged to contact their GPs."

Ends.