£4M TO FIGHT VIRUS - Scotland

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Daily Record NEWS

27 September 2006

£4M TO FIGHT VIRUS

HEALTH chiefs are to spend £4million fighting a hidden killer virus that

affects 50,000 Scots.

Around one per cent of the population - mostly drug users - have hepatitis

C. It is mainly spread by contact with infected blood and affects the liver.

There is no vaccine to prevent the virus, which can affect a person for

decades before being discovered.

The cash will be used to improve infection control and reduce the number of

new cases.

Scotland has the highest rate of infection for the illness in the UK. Health

Minister Andy Kerr said: " We want to reduce the future spread of hepatitis C

by increasing awareness. "

Professor Goldberg, of Health Protection Scotland, added: " Hepatitis C

poses one of Scotland's greatest public health challenges. "

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[Guest guest]

Daily Record NEWS

27 September 2006

£4M TO FIGHT VIRUS

HEALTH chiefs are to spend £4million fighting a hidden killer virus that

affects 50,000 Scots.

Around one per cent of the population - mostly drug users - have hepatitis

C. It is mainly spread by contact with infected blood and affects the liver.

There is no vaccine to prevent the virus, which can affect a person for

decades before being discovered.

The cash will be used to improve infection control and reduce the number of

new cases.

Scotland has the highest rate of infection for the illness in the UK. Health

Minister Andy Kerr said: " We want to reduce the future spread of hepatitis C

by increasing awareness. "

Professor Goldberg, of Health Protection Scotland, added: " Hepatitis C

poses one of Scotland's greatest public health challenges. "

_________________________________________________________________

Share your special moments by uploading 500 photos per month to Windows Live

Spaces

http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://www.get\

..live.com/spaces/features