The number of diagnoses of hepatitis C in Northern Ireland has more than doubled in the past decade, it was revealed today.
New cases detected rose to more than 134 in 2005 because of greater awareness of the incurable and potentially lethal disease. There are around 4,080 people infected in total.
At-risk groups include prisoners, drug users and those with skin piercings.
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has launched an action plan for promoting greater awareness of the blood infection in an effort to prevent severe liver disease.
There were 134 fresh diagnoses in 2005 and 63 in 1995.
According to the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre Northern Ireland, most infections are not detected. Consultant hepatologist Dr Neil McDougall said: "It is a condition which has been undiagnosed before because it is a silent condition until it declares itself with advanced liver disease." He said around 1,000 people had been diagnosed in the last 10 years but not all had been referred for specialist treatment.
He added that it can take many years for the disease to develop and said increasing diagnoses did not necessarily mean higher numbers of sufferers. Only a quarter of those infected are aware of it.
PA