New Year, Renewed Focus:
Tackling Hepatitis in Our Communities
While we have made good progress in 2024 toward improving hepatitis B and hepatitis C outcomes in Queensland, significant challenges remain in achieving our 2030 goals. As we enter 2025, we want to address the key gaps that require focused efforts:
1. More than 30% of people living with hepatitis B have not been diagnosed
2. Nearly 80% of people living with chronic hepatitis B do not regularly monitor their liver condition as recommended.
3. In Queensland 22,889 people living with hepatitis C have received curative treatment between 2016 and October 2023.
4. However, an estimated 74000 people in Australia are still living with hepatitis C, with Queensland having 2105 new notifications of hepatitis C infection in 2023
Hepatitis B.
Whilst not all people living with chronic hepatitis B need treatment, but ALL people living with chronic hepatitis B need regular liver health checks. These checks include blood tests (including hepatitis B DNA every 12 months), liver ultrasounds every six months (for certain groups), and fibrosis assessments (such as Fibroscan every12 months).
Hepatitis C
The Australian Government continues to subsidise the highly effective treatments, which can be prescribed by a GP or a nurse practitioner with special training. To find out if you have hepatitis C all you need is a simple specific blood test. Just ask your health provider.
How can ECCQ help reach these targets?
We offer free information, education and resources about hepatitis in multiple languages for diverse communities. If needed, we can support you to access services.
In addition, we can offer (for a limited time) free Rapid Point of Care Testing (POCT) involving a finger-prick tests for:
• Hepatitis C antibodies – a detectable result will indicate you have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus – confirmatory testing is needed with a GP or nurse practitioner to then determine if you have current infection and if treatment is needed.
• Hepatitis B surface antigen testing – a detectable result means you may have chronic hepatitis B – further confirmatory testing and follow up is required by your GP or nurse practitioner.
This is a time-limited research project supported by the Kirby Institute and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. It is free for all people living in Queensland, regardless their visa or Medicare status. The results are confidential. To find more please contact health@eccq.com.au.
Let’s make 2025 the year, to find those people who may be infected and don’t know it, to get diagnosed and get the care they need, and help eliminate hepatitis.
Remember our personal health is our most valuable asset. We need to ensure we take care of ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally, taking time to seek out the care that we need.
To find more information about hepatitis B and hepatitis C please either visit our webpage at eccq.com.au/bbv where you can find information in your language or contact us at the Love Health Program at ECCQ on 3844 9166 or email health@eccq.com.au.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all community members who have supported us throughout the year. We look forward to your continued support in 2025 and beyond!
If you are living in Cairns, you can contact Damian Garozzo-Vaglio at Cairns Sexual Health Services by calling 4226 4760 or emailing damian.garozzo-vaglio@health.qld.gov.au.
