SAN MATEO COUNTY WARNS OF HEPATITIS C

Warned that hepatitis C may be killing more San Mateo County residents than
AIDS, county supervisors yesterday agreed to spend $200,000 to test those
most at risk.

``Hepatitis C is an epidemic we largely missed and are dealing with after
the fact,'' Scott Morrow, the county's public health officer, told
supervisors at a hearing in Redwood City.

Morrow estimated that up to 13,000 residents may carry the hepatitis C
virus, or 10 times as many as those infected with HIV. Hepatitis C is a
leading cause of chronic liver disease. Supervisors voted unanimously to
start voluntary testing of jail inmates, drug users at needle-exchange
programs, patients at the county's AIDS clinics and others considered at
high risk for contracting the virus.

``We really need to begin testing,'' said county Health Services director
Margaret Taylor. ``We don't want the disease to spread any more.'' Public
health counselors will attempt to persuade inmates and others that taking
the voluntary test ``is the right thing to do,'' Taylor said. Anyone with
the virus is warned that alcohol, illegal drugs and tobacco severely worsen
the already deadly liver damage the virus can cause.

In addition to testing, money will also be spent on an education campaign
to warn of the dangers of hepatitis C and to train health care providers.
Information about hepatitis C will also be included in an AIDS education
course given in schools.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control, at least 2.7 million
Americans carry the hepatitis C virus, making it the most common
blood-borne infection in the United States. About 12,000 people now die
each year in the United States from the virus, a number that is expected to
rise to 38,000 in 11 years.

County officials estimate that hepatitis C is responsible for up to 50
deaths a year, compared to about 20 to 30 from AIDS-related illnesses.
Still, San Mateo County officials said a study is needed to assess the
scope of the problem and then to develop further plans to combat the spread
of the disease.

People who share needles or have unprotected sex account for the majority
of those with the virus. Like those infected with HIV, people with
hepatitis C can look and feel healthy for years.

The county is not going to expand treatment programs, although health
officials warned that may soon be necessary. Unlike AIDS treatment, no
money is available for testing and treatment for hepatitis C from the state
and federal government, officials said.

Meanwhile, Morrow told supervisors he expects to submit a proposal to
federal regulators by Friday to conduct research into medicinal use of
marijuana.

Under the proposed study, 60 people with AIDS would smoke marijuana over 12
weeks. The study would seek to conclude whether the participants can follow
the strict rules for when to smoke the drug and refrain from smoking
marijuana bought on the street, Morrow said.

Whether the drug proves effective at easing pain and counteracting the
physical wasting associated with AIDS treatment would not be the focus.
Instead, the program would lay the foundation for studies that would assess
the effectiveness by showing if participants can meet the requirements
necessary to conduct a thorough study, Morrow said.

The county needs approval from the federal National Institute on Drug Abuse
before going forward with the study. Despite California voters approval of
a 1996 proposition to legalize marijuana for medical use, the drug remains
illegal under federal law.