News Release – July 27, 2020
Tomorrow, July 28th is World Hepatitis C Day as declared by the World Health Organization.
Over the last three years, Labrador-Grenfell Health has noted an increase of new Hepatitis C Virus cases throughout the region. Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus and can lead to health complications such as liver failure, cirrhosis and cancer if left untreated.
Since 2017, Labrador-Grenfell Health has noted 42 new cases of Hepatitis C in the region. Many of these new cases have been detected in the Upper Lake Melville area. Approximately 44 percent of people living with Hepatitis C are undiagnosed and a person who is infected can live for decades without symptoms.
“As a bloodborne virus, Hepatitis C can be transmitted in many ways including injection practices like drug use, unsafe body piercing and tattoos. Engaging with your health care provider is one of the best ways to understanding the risks associated with these activities as well as how you can reduce your risk of Hepatitis C and other bloodborne infections. If you believe you may be at risk, you should seek testing by your health care provider because Hepatitis C is quite treatable if caught early,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health for Labrador-Grenfell Health.
About Hepatitis C
For more information:
- Visit your local health care provider
- Visit lghealth.ca/hepatitis-c
- Visit the CATIE website: catie.ca/en/hepatitis-c
- Call Catie’s private line at 1-800-263-1623
Media Contact:
Amanda MacNeil, Regional Director of Communications
Labrador-Grenfell Health
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL
Tel: (709) 897-3102
E-mail: amanda.macneil@lghealth.ca