Queensland has made significant progress in treating and preventing viral hepatitis, with 63% of those living with hepatitis C receiving antiviral treatment since 2016, but more must be done to eliminate hepatitis B and C.
Viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C) is the most prevalent blood-borne illness in Australia and is the second leading cause of death by infectious disease globally, according to the World Health Organisation 2024 Global Hepatitis Report.
"Close to 50,000 Queenslanders are still living with viral hepatitis," says Hepatitis Queensland CEO Dr Anna Hawkes, in the lead up to World Hepatitis Day on Sunday 28 July.
"This puts them at increased risk of liver disease and liver cancer. They shouldn't have to live with that risk when treatment is available."
Parliament House and other significant buildings around Queensland will be lit up in green lights on World Hepatitis Day to remind people to ask for a hepatitis check in their blood tests.
"We need action now to reach our global goal of treating 80% of eligible people with viral hepatitis by 2030 and we need more community outreach to prevent, test, and treat hepatitis B and C in the community," Dr Hawkes says.
"We want to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths by 65% by 2030.
"Hepatitis C can be cured with a simple pill and hepatitis B can be treated to slow the progression of liver disease and cancer, but multiple barriers like access to treatment, stigma and discrimination stop people from seeking testing and treatment. These barriers are slowing our ability to eliminate viral hepatitis in Queensland," Dr Hawkes says.
"Hepatitis Queensland has an important role to play in the elimination of this infectious disease because we have extensive experience connecting with at risk communities and breaking down barriers to prevention, testing and treatment.
"Raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with hepatitis and liver disease are core priorities for Hepatitis Queensland."
Jeanette Tibbs has been a nurse with Hepatitis Queensland for five years and says there is still a lot of stigma and discrimination against people with hepatitis C in the community.
"We need all GPs on board to help us meet our 2030 goal," she says.
On World Hepatitis Day, Sunday July 28, Hepatitis Queensland wants you to know that Hep Can't Wait. People living with hepatitis C can't wait to be cured, and people living with hepatitis B can't wait to receive adequate care, to live long and happy lives.
"Hepatitis Queensland encourages you to take the Hepatitis Quiz on our website and discover whether you are at risk of being exposed to hepatitis B or C," says Dr Hawkes.
