Hepatitis C Risk Notification Campaign Into Final Stage
The final stage of the province's hepatitis C risk notification program is under way.
A total of 14,750 letters have been sent to people who received blood or blood products between 1984 and 1990 while they were patients at hospitals in Nova Scotia. Of those, 5,600 letters were sent during the final stage of the campaign. Some of these people may have been exposed to hepatitis C.
The letters inform people of their potential risk and encourage them to seek testing. They advise the recipients, or parents and guardians if the recipient is or was under 16 years of age, to consult their doctor about testing for hepatitis C. Included with each letter are general questions and answers about hepatitis C and a laboratory form for the recipient to take to the doctor.
Nova Scotia's notification program was launched in June 1997 to locate Nova Scotians who may have been exposed to hepatitis C through blood or blood products between 1984 and 1990, and, where possible, even earlier. Cost of the program is about $500,000.
"The notification program has gone well," said Dr. Jeff Scott, provincial medical officer of health and chairman of the steering committee organizing the campaign. "But it is important to understand that we can't locate everyone. If you think you or your children may have been exposed to hepatitis C, ask your doctor and find out more about testing."
The notification campaign relied on available medical records -- most of which date back to 1984. There are adults and children who may have been exposed to hepatitis C prior to 1984, before appropriate records were available.
"The aim of this program is to inform people of their potential risk and encourage them to seek testing," said Health Minister Jim Smith. "General public awareness is extremely important because we cannot reach everyone by letter. As a result, we have been running advertisements during each stage of the campaign."
Members of the public with general questions about hepatitis C can call 1-800-430-9557 to speak with a public health nurse.