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DR. I. MUSCAT, CONSULTANT, MICROBIOLOGY, GENERAL HOSPTAL
- HIV andHCVPrevalence study
- Jerseydoesnotcurrentlyhaveaccuratedataon prevalence rates in the Island
- In Jerseywe currently have330casesofHepatitisC, which is 3.7 times more than would be expected following theaverage rate in theUnitedKingdomperheadofpopulation.Wedon't know whetherwehave a largerproblemorwhetherwesimplymanage to diagnosepatients more effectively.
- Hepatitis C isanexpensivedisease to treat particularly whendealing with late complications.
- Individuals maybe carrying the disease for many years as a resultofdruguse in early life but the effectsmay only becomeapparentmuch later. It is estimated80%of carriers donot realise they have the disease.
- General populationis reluctant tohaveappropriate testing becauseofthestigma attached to the disease.Thoseatrisk often don'tvolunteer for testing.
- The answerwouldbe to undertake Unlinked AnonymousTesting. This hasbeen considered by the hospitalbut resource limitations have sofar precluded this option.
- Patient consent would be required beforeundertake a Hepatitis test using a blood sample taken for other testing purposes, such as blood donations.
- Attempts to pursuetheproposed prevalence studies will berenewed.
- Similarly requestsfor part fundingfor the Hepatitis C and HIV sister willcontinuetobe pressed.
- Advisability of Needle exchange or condoms in prison to prevent spread of blood borne viruses.
- It is important to make sure that individuals arenotdisadvantagedby being in prison,but it is also reasonabletounderstandthatwhat works inopen society maynot translate into closed society thathasownrulesandproblems.
- Needle exchangehasbeen piloted in SpanishprisonsandhasbeenmonitoredbyUKprison authorities.
- Needle exchangewouldhelptopreventdisease spreading but also requirescarefulcontrols to prevent the accumulationofneedles and useasweapons.