Local MP asks, â€˜am I number 12?â€™

Local MP, Michael Connarty, has been supporting the first ever World Hepatitis Day which took place on Monday, drawing attention to the shocking fact that approximately 1 in 12 of the world population is infected with chronic hepatitis B or C.

Hepatitis C is often known as the ‘silent killer’ as people can live with it undiagnosed and without symptoms for many years. Around 320,000 people are living with hepatitis B in the UK and this number is increasing.

Michael said, “I was delighted to support the first ever World Hepatitis Day. It is startling that almost 500 million people in the world have hepatitis B or C – that is 1 in 12 of the global population. I found out about Hepatitis when I campaigned for infected Haemophiliacs, but many more people have the virus without knowing."

“These are serious viruses which kill 1.5 million people a year. Yet awareness of these killer diseases is extremely low with the great majority of those infected unaware of their status. Worryingly, most people don’t understand infection risks.

“I am urging everyone in Linlithgow & East Falkirk to ask themselves, ‘am I number 12?’ If you think you may have been at risk of contracting either hepatitis B or C, then ask your GP for a test.”

Charles Gore, Chief Executive of The Hepatitis C Trust, said:” I am delighted that Michael Connarty is supporting the first ever World Hepatitis Day.

“The lack of awareness about viral hepatitis in the UK and abroad is causing huge numbers of preventable deaths. I hope that World Hepatitis Day will focus attention on these neglected diseases. Countless lives could be saved if more people got tested, diagnosed and then received the care, support and treatment they are entitled to.”