Hep-C cluster sparks concern

VICTORIA's health department has identified a cluster of 37 HIV-positive gay men infected with hepatitis C. Prompting concerns the virus is being transmitted through sexual practices.

The men were diagnosed with hepatitis C over the past year and doctors suspected it was sexually transmitted in at least 19 out of 37 cases.

Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus that can be spread by sharing drug-injecting equipment such as needles, through care settings, or from blood transfusions before 1990 that may not have been screened for the virus.

People Living With HIV/AIDS Victoria president Paul Kidd said the virus might also be passed on through sexual practices with an increased risk of blood-to-blood contact.

He said clusters of cases of apparently sexually transmitted hepatitis C amongst HIV-positive men had been reported overseas including in Britain, France and the Netherlands.

Hepatitis C Victoria chief executive Helen McNeil said liver disease associated with the virus could progress more quickly in people with HIV.

'Preventing co-infection is important and those who are co-infected should get assessed as soon as possible for treatment for hepatitis C because their chance of clearing it is better if they are treated early.'

The Health Deapartment is working to investigate the cause of the cluster.

The Age newspaper 16/05/2011