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Blood borne viral hepatitis action plan for Wales 2010-2015

Details:

Authors: Marion Lyons, Noel Craine and Josie Smith.

Published on: 1st February 2010

  • All Wales/National

Executive Summary

Hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV) are viruses that spread from person to person by contact with infected blood and other body fluids. Hepatitis viruses primarily affect the liver. HCV and HBV can cause serious disease and even death, yet are treatable and preventable.

An estimated 12,000 to 14,000 people in Wales are chronically infected with HCV, the majority of which are unaware of their infection. Currently within Wales and England only acute HBV infection is recorded so no estimates exist for chronic infection of HBV within Wales. However, within some groups HBV infection is relatively common, particularly amongst ethnic minority groups originating from high prevalence countries (South East Asia, Africa, the Middle and Far East, Southern and Eastern Europe). The number of people infected with HBV and the number infected with HCV increases each year because of continued high risk behaviour.

Background

This report sets out the WAG blood borne viral hepatitis action plan for Wales for the period April 2010-April 2015. It is proposed that during this period, services in Wales will be continually re-evaluated and markers of success (reduction in transmission rates and significant increases in numbers diagnosed and treated) and barriers to progress identified. Further action to tackle chronic HBV and HCV in Wales will be identified for action from 2015.

This action plan aims to provide a clear, costed and time defined framework for the planning and provision of key services in Wales that:

  • Reduce the transmission of blood borne hepatitis infection in Wales
  • Reduce the pool of undiagnosed infection
  • Improve the provision of treatment and support to infected individuals
  • Monitor and evaluate treatment and prevention programs

The response to these challenges, and responsibilities for implementation, will cut across the remit of different partners in health, social care and criminal justice.

Table of contents:

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Blood Borne Viral Hepatitis Action Plan for Wales 2010-2015

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