HEPATITIS C CASES ON THE RISE AMONG THE YOUNG

BOSTON- The number of hepatitis C infections among teenagers and
young adults in Massachusetts has risen dramatically in the past few
years at a time when the abuse of intravenous drugs has also been on
the rise, health officials say.

Confirmed and suspected cases of the blood-borne liver disease among
people ages 15 to 25 climbed from 254 in 2001 to at least 784 in
2005, according to the state Department of Public Health.

The increase may be at least partially attributable to more diligent
reporting of the disease by doctors.

"I suspect there is a direct correlation between the increase in
hepatitis C among younger people and the increase in injection drug
use and heroin use, in particular," said Public Health Commissioner
John Auerbach. "It is terribly tragic, but it is very consistent
with the pattern of risk that goes along with injection drug use."

The disease is spread by sharing needles.

"We know that injecting just once with a contaminated needle
can give you hepatitis C," said Dr. Alfred DeMaria , the state's
director of communicable disease control.

Patients with hepatitis C can develop liver failure that requires a
transplant.

Auerbach and other health officials think the increase in infections
is limited to young drug users, and not the general population.

In response to the increase, the health department is urging doctors
to screen and educate patients about the disease.

The state's Bureau of Substance Abuse Services has established pilot
programs at community health centers and at Boston Medical Center to
routinely ask every patient about possible drug use.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that
about 3.2 million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis
C, but most are in their 40s or older.