Shropshire charity marks World Hepatitis Day with two year hepatitis C micro-elimination milestone

Shropshire Recovery Partnership - delivered by national drug and alcohol charity WithYou - has hit a major milestone: two years of sustained hepatitis C micro-elimination. This vital progress ensures Shropshire is doing its part in the national mission to eliminate the virus entirely by 2030.

Hepatitis C is a serious bloodborne virus, but it is both preventable and curable. With over 95% of people who are treated successfully cured, early detection is our most important tool to prevent liver damage and cancer.

World Hepatitis Day, marked on July 28 every year, aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

The charity has been actively raising awareness of the importance of testing and treatment, which includes taking testing right to people’s doorsteps.

Jan Burrows, Head of Service Delivery at the Shropshire Recovery Partnership, says:

“Reaching two consecutive years of micro-elimination is a massive testament to our team’s dedication and the trust our clients place in us. Our staff are consistently providing life-saving, proactive care for our community. On World Hepatitis Day, we’re proud to prove that when services are inclusive and person-centred, eliminating hepatitis C is possible.”

Micro-elimination means:

• 100% of clients in structured treatment have been offered a hepatitis C test

• 100% of those with a history of injecting have been tested

• 90% of current and previous injectors (at risk) have a hepatitis C test date within the last 12 months

• 90% of clients who’ve tested positive for hepatitis have completed or commenced treatment

Most hepatitis C infections occur through exposure to blood from unsafe injection practices, unsafe health care, unscreened blood transfusions and some sexual practices, but the virus can also be shared through tattoos, sharing razors and even toothbrushes.

Across the world, around 58 million people live with chronic hepatitis C, and there are around 1.5 million new infections each year.