July 24, 2017 - It's estimated approximately one in every 50 people are living with hepatitis C in Thunder Bay, but many do not know it. Today, a coalition of local agencies called Hep Net held a health fair at Victoriaville Mall to provide the public with information on hepatitis C prevention, testing and treatment. Provincially, hepatitis C infection rates have been decreasing; however, local rates have stayed stable so this awareness is important. 

According to Tannice Fletcher-Stackhouse, a nurse practitioner with Liver Care Northwest, hepatitis C is a serious liver disease. "Left untreated, a hepatitis C infection may lead to liver failure, cancer and cirrhosis". 

As people who are infected can unknowingly transmit the disease to others, she advises those who think they may have been exposed should get tested. Many people do not show symptoms after infection. The risk of a hepatitis C infection increases with certain activities including: having a tattoo or piercing, now or in the past, with equipment that was shared or not sterilized properly; sharing needles or equipment for injecting drugs - this includes ties and cookers; sharing supplies for inhaling (smoking) or snorting drugs; and sharing toothbrushes or razors with someone. 

"There is a simple blood test that is available from any health care provider," said Fletcher-Stackhouse. "For those without an Ontario Health Card, testing is available from both Elevate NWO and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit." 

"Although a vaccine to protect against the disease is not available, hepatitis C can be cured," stressed Tonya Muchano, Elevate NWO's hepatitis C community developer. "In 2017, new treatments were approved. One of these medications works against all strains of the hepatitis C virus, providing more treatment options." 

Locally, treatment is available from all health care providers, with some Hep Net partners specializing in treatment including Elevate NWO, Liver Care Northwest and the OATC/Conquer Clinics. "It's so important to stress that hepatitis C can be prevented and it can be cured," emphasized Muchano. "If someone thinks they have been exposed, there is support available in our community." 

Other activities throughout the week include drop-in testing at Elevate NWO and all OATC sites in Thunder Bay, a BBQ and screening of locally created short film Blood2Blood at Elevate NWO on Wednesday, July 26, and a second health fair will be held on World Hepatitis Day at Intercity Shopping Centre on Friday, July 28. 

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Contact: Cynthia Olsen, Drug Strategy Coordinator, 625-2942