Experts are asking the Ministry of Health to conduct tests for hepatitis C in those born between 1945 and 1975.

Hepatologists and patients have asked the Ministry of Health to conduct a diagnostic test for hepatitis C on the entire population born between 1945 and 1975 who have never undergone it, in order to contribute to its elimination and prevent it from being included in health policy, according to the Alliance to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis in Spain (AEHVE).

The group’s coordinator, Javier García-Samaniego, noted that “188 deaths annually“10 per cent of road traffic deaths is too many deaths to be satisfied with, especially when we have the power to prevent it.” He cited existing treatments that cure the disease “in almost 100 per cent of cases” and also prevent liver damage if given early.

The recommendation for diagnostic testing was included by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its latest update of global strategies to accelerate the elimination of hepatitis. However, This directive is only implemented in some autonomous communities. such as Galicia, and will require a new update of the Ministry of Health Guidelines for Screening for HCV Infection, including recommendations for screening for the entire population at this age, without linking it to risk factors, as is currently the case.

The inclusion of artificial intelligence and diagnostic strategies tested during the Covid-19 pandemic also allows cheaper diagnostics, which increases the possibility of searching for undetected hepatitis C in the general population. “Today, given what we have learned since Covid, by grouping samples or pooling, as Galicia is doing with excellent results, carrying out age screening in the general population is something that is quite acceptable and should be included in the consensus between the autonomous communities. their hepatitis C policies,” said García-Samaniego. It is estimated that there are still 20,000 people in Spain with hepatitis C who do not know they have the infection.

In addition to identifying undetected or missing cases in the general population, another challenge is to actively search for cases among the most vulnerable groups, people who are far from the usual health care pathways and who can only be reached through decentralized resources and alternative strategies.

To this end, they are working within the Hepatitis C Free Cities programme, in collaboration with city councils and non-governmental organisations, to develop actions aimed at vulnerable groups of the population, especially homeless people, intravenous drug users and men who have sex with men and associated risk behaviours, who are the main sources of active infection in Spain. Actions on these characteristics and/or awareness-raising and sensitisation programmes are currently being developed or implemented in 20 Spanish cities.

On the occasion of World Viral Hepatitis Day, which will be celebrated on July 28, a campaign featuring the actor will be launched in these cities. Carmelo Gomez, who was cured of hepatitis C. His case was similar to many patients who contracted the virus through blood transfusions before the virus was discovered in the mid-1990s and that route of transmission was stopped. Hepatologists insist that this profile of patients aged 50 to 85 should be tested.