'Many unaware hepatitis can kill'

New Straits Times PETALING JAYA: THE Health Ministry yesterday urged the public to get themselves tested for viral Hepatitis and go for early treatment if the disease is detected.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, said many Malaysians were still unaware of hepatitis B and C, both of which caused irreversible damage to the liver.
"Hepatitis is a neglected disease as many believe that the disease no longer exists," he said after launching the World Hepatitis Day 2012 campaign themed "It's Closer Than You Think".
"Many people are not vaccinated and do not know that they are Hepatitis B and C carriers."
Liow said despite its dangers, awareness on viral hepatitis was neglected even though it was mandatory to notify the disease under the Health Ministry's Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act 1988.
"We want the public to understand that hepatitis can cause liver inflammation and later lead to liver cancer."
He added that Hepatitis B was 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV.
"It is a silent disease which we should not take lightly. The disease does not only affect patients, but those who are close to them."
Liow said in 2010, 640 Hepatitis B cases were detected while 724 had Hepatitis C.
Meanwhile, he added that last year, 1,250 Malaysians were diagnosed with Hepatitis B while 1,047 had Hepatitis C.
Statistics also show that more than 80 per cent of Hepatitis B and C patients were aged between 25 and 55 years.
Liow added that over 85 per cent of liver cancer patients had Hepatitis B.
"We want to emphasise the importance of screening to minimise Hepatitis infection."
In Malaysia, Liow said five per cent of the population or 1.4 million people or one in every 20 suffered from chronic liver disease which may have been caused by hepatitis.
"It is a serious disease that we need to tackle."
He added that though the transmission rate was low, the liver disease was still high and the prevalence was seen in those born before vaccination was introduced.
He added that the ministry only introduced the vaccination programme in 1989 and those born before should get themselves screened.
"Although the number is not big, the transmission of the disease is fast. Awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis transmission is crucial to prevent the disease from spreading."
Liow said that the Hepatitis B vaccination programme for children, introduced in 1989, managed to reduce the rate of the disease among Malaysians to 0.3 per cent, exceeding World Health Organisation's target of one per cent.
The campaign involves 20 hospitals nationwide, including 13 government hospitals.
Under the national campaign, he said free Hepatitis C testing would be offered to high risk groups as many many patients remained undiagnosed.
"Last year's campaign saw nearly 10,000 tests for viral Hepatitis being conducted at 19 sites all over the country."
Liow added that individuals at risk included anyone who had a blood transfusion prior to 1994, a history of needle-stick injury, injected recreational drugs, with tattoos or had unsterile acupuncture and children whose mothers were viral Hepatitis patients.
"Those who are high at risk in contracting the disease should take advantage of the services provided throughout the campaign."
World Hepatitis Day is commemorated today.