Latest News
A regular wrap of hepatitis related news from Australia and around the world.
Seen a story you think we should post? Email john@hepatitisaustralia.com with your suggestion.
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Tuesday, July 1 2008
The AIDS / Infectious Diseases Branch of NSW Health commissioned an extensive review of hepatitis C care and treatment services in NSW, with the main recommendation the number of people undergoing hepatitis C treatment needs to double to keep the current level of cirrhosis and liver cancer under control.
An article about the report is available on The Australian website and the complete report can be downloaded from the Hepatitis C Council of NSW site.
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Last nights Nightlife with Tony Delroy program on ABC Radio focussed on hepatitis, and included Gary Sattell from Hepatitis C Victoria and Helen Tyrrell from Hepatitis Australia as guests. The program discussed the results of Hepatitis C Victoria's Hepatitis C and Me survey, broad information about the different strains of hepatitis, transmission, prevention, symptoms, needle exchanges, and discrimination. You can download a mp3 of the 40 minute segment from the Nightlife Podcast page.
Monday, 1 April 2008
American singer Diamanda Galas, who performed in recent years at the Sydney Festival, the Melbourne International Arts Festival and the Adelaide Festival, discusses overcoming hepatitis C in this Sydney Morning Herald feature article.
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
The Sydney Morning Herald has an article about high rates of hepatitis C among juvenile offenders in NSW.
Friday, 22 February 2008
Its been widely reported New York health officials are urging patrons of a popular city nightspot to seek hepatitis A vaccinations after a bartender discovered he had contracted the virus. Among the well known patrons of the bar are celebrities Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Madonna. The original health department warning is available here.
Thursday, 7 February 2008
A Herald Sun online opinion editorial suggests Australia should go with a "opt out" model of organ donation, whereby people are automatically listed as organ donors unless they actively opt out. The editorial says the current model puts people at risk as some patients may purchase organs from countries that don't actively screen for hepatitis B or C.
Tuesday, February 5 2008
The Federal Government has announced $124 million in funding for new medical and health research projects, including a project involving HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. The hepatitis C specific project will design and test vaccines, recieving $17 million in funding. Further details on this and other funded projects are available on the National Health and Medical Research Council website.
Thursday, January 31 2008
The University of NSW Centre for Health Informatics has conducted some interesting research into the way people use the internet to find health information. Research involved posing questions to health professionals and non-professionals, and look at how online research could influence their answers. One of the questions posed to the non-professionals 'Can you catch hepatitis B from kissing on the cheek?'.
The answer is no, but the researchers found that many of the people who answered incorrectly continued to give the incorrect answer, even when given time to research the question online. A press release says the research has implications for the way health information is structured online.
Wednesday, January 30 2008
A study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology says daily marijuana use by people living with hepatitis C may result in greater risk of liver fibrosis.
Tuesday, January 29 2008
The Perth Sunday Times reports on a rise in the number of hepatitis C patients at Royal Perth Hospital. RPH nurse practioner Saroj Nazareth says hepatitis C patients treated at the hospital rose from 120 in 2006 to 170 in 2007.
Tuesday, January 22 2008
This Times Online article makes brief mention of current world heavyweight boxing champion Ruslan Chagaev. Chagaev's promoter says the champion boxer has lived with hepatitis B since he was a child.
Monday, January 21 2008
In this interview with CBS musical legend David Crosby discusses his life, including the day he found out he was living with hepatitis C.
Thursday, January 17 2008
Drug users in Ontario Canada will continue to receive glass pipes that reduce the risk of hepatitis C. The pipe program was initially cancelled by the city council, but received further funding after research showed it prevented sharing of injecting equipment.
Wednesday, January 16 2008
The Gold Coast Sun reports MP Jann Stuckey has called on the Palm Beach needle and syringe exchange to insist on used needles being returned. She says it is discriminatory to fine Doctors for not disposing of needles and not place similar restrictions on injecting drug users. Queensland Health says it does not discourage return of used needles to the needle exchange, but rather promotes the use of individual disposal bins.
In a related item, MP Jann Stuckey has called on Gold Coast locals to have their say on the Palm Beach needle exchange as part of an offical government review. Surveys can be accessed through the Currumbin Electorate Office or online.
Tuesday, January 15 2008
Reuteurs UK reports on a trial comparing two major hepatitis C treatments. The trial involved 3,700 participants and found the two treatments were similarly effective.
Monday, January 14 2008
Following Fridays story about blood supplied to British Soldiers not undergoing the correct checks, the Weekend Australian says Australian Defence Officials are checking the status of thirty-one Australian Soldiers. Defence Spokesman Andrew Nikolic says 'It's a very low probability any of our people would have been infected'.
The Herald Sun reports on a new trend of DIY piercing kits being made available over the counter and via eBay. The Australian Medical Association has slammed the sale of these kits to teenagers, saying they put young people at risk of contracting hepatitis.
In this Harp magazine feature article Musician Alejandro Escovedo discusses the ups and downs of his rich career, including his battle with hepatitis C.
Friday, January 11 2008
Eighteen British Soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan may have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis C after it was revealed blood supplied by the United States did not undergo the correct checks. This story has been widely reported in the Australian media, but the original story was broken by UK newspaper The Sun.
An Adelaide Advertiser article on vaccination mentions hepatitis C rates in South Australia have fallen to a five year low, although the figures could potentially rise. 'SA Department of Health's summary of notifiable disease in SA for 2007 is not yet fully up to date, so these figures may change slightly' says Communicable Diseases director Ann Koehler .
The Aboriginal Health Worker Forum on Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Health Promotion will take place Sunday 2 March 2008 at the Courtyard Marriott, Surfers Paradise. Registrations for the Forum and Workshop are now open and registration is free. Download the flyer, or see www.health.gov.au for more information.
Thursday, January 10 2008
The American Liver Foundation has conducted an exclusive interview with Naomi Judd, who contracted hepatitis C from a needlestick injury while working as a nurse. The country music starhas since successfully undergone treatment, but says 'I will never be free of hepatitis C as long as somebody else out there is suffering'.
Another celebrity, actress Natasha Lyonne (American Pie, Slums of Beverly Hills) discusses her experience of hepatitis C and her return to acting in this New York Times Profile.
In news closer to home the Sydney Star Observer reports on the Victorian Governments decision to consider allowing condoms in Victorian Prisons. The move comes after a series of studies indicate more than fifty percent of the male prison population have hepatitis C.