A state-wide study to establish the level of hepatitis B in the population will be initiated this week. More than 900 households will be asked to send saliva samples, using special mouth swabs, to the Virus Reference Laboratory for testing.
The study is to determine how many people have come into contact with the virus. According to Dr Leila Thornton, Eastern Health Board specialist in public health medicine, the information will help doctors to decide whether widespread vaccination is necessary.
The study will be carried out by testing saliva samples for antibodies to hepatitis B. The households have been selected randomly from the electoral register and will receive a letter. "The survey is completely anonymous," said Dr Thornton. "No names will appear on the samples sent to the laboratory so the results cannot be traced back to individuals."
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by a virus. "It can cause severe illness, from which it may take many months to recover. Although most people will recover, some may develop a persistent illness which may progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer and may result in death."