World Hepatitis Day event in Campbell River May 19

The newly formed Hepatitis C Peer Education Group in conjunction with AIDS Vancouver Island (AVI) will be hosting a Liver Health Education Celebration at Spirit Square on World Hepatitis Day on May 19, from 12-2pm.

There will be a complimentary, healthy lunch served and a variety of interactive displays. The goals of the fair are to provide information about the importance of being tested for hepatitis, to provide information about traditional and complimentary treatments, and to provide hope for those living with hepatitis and to remember individuals who have passed away.

“It is important to mark World Hepatitis Day and the fact that approximately 500 million people in the world have either hepatitis B or C and the majority of those infected do not know,” said Jeanette Reinhardt, health promotion worker at AVI. “Because hepatitis C is such a significant issue of concern in the North Island, we will be using World Hepatitis Day as a way to bring attention to the need to get tested and to prevent new infections.”

According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, there were 91 new cases of hepatitis C in the North Island in 2008, which is a rate of 74.5 cases per 100,000. An estimated 250,000 people in Canada are infected with hepatitis, and between 3,200 and 5,000 individuals are newly infected each year.

Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood-to-blood contact and can be transmitted through the sharing of injection equipment or straws, piercing or tattoo equipment, and, may be transmitted, although it is rare, through the sharing of anything that might have blood on it (ex. razors, nail clippers and toothbrushes) or unprotected sex with someone who has hepatitis C. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through direct blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex, unsterile needles or from an infected woman to her newborn during birth.

AIDS Vancouver Island’s mandate includes support and prevention around hepatitis C, as well as HIV/AIDS. This event is made possible with funding from Health Canada under the AIDS Community Action Program.

For more information about hepatitis or this event, please contact Leanne Cunningham, AIDS Vancouver Island at (250) 830-0787.