The PEI Department of Health and Social Services is preparing to notify by letter many residents of the province who received blood transfusions between 1984 and June 1, 1990, so that they are made aware of their risk of hepatitis C.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mildred Dover, said: "The decision to go ahead with this notification program is a conscious decision on the part of government to address this important matter. While it is unfortunate that some residents will find out that they have hepatitis C as a result of this program, they all have the right to know about their disease, to seek medical advice, and to obtain treatment if required."
Hepatitis C is a communicable disease which can cause hepatitis in some but others may be infected with the virus and not have any symptoms of illness. Over half of the 118 persons who have been reported to have hepatitis C in PEI have had a history of being an intravenous drug user in the past. Other rare possible causes of spread of hepatitis C include sexual intercourse and an infected mother passing the virus to her infant.
This notification program is being organized by the Department so that residents who received blood transfusions may have the chance to receive counselling and discuss with their family physician their need for testing.
Dr. Lamont Sweet, Chief Health Officer, noted that: "Previous public announcements have recommended that those who received blood transfusions before June 1, 1990, consider having the test for hepatitis C. However, it is estimated that at least 80% of the residents of PEI who received blood transfusions during that period of time have not been tested."
This fall, the Department will put together a list of the available names of those residents of the province who received blood in PEI hospitals and the Victoria General, Infirmary and Camphill Hospitals in Halifax between January 1, 1984, and June 1, 1990. The present plan is to send out the letters in early in 1998 recommending that those persons who receive a letter discuss being tested with a physician. It is estimated that approximately five thousand Islanders will receive a letter during that period of time and that up to 150 of these persons may have hepatitis C.
A 1-800 information line for the hepatitis C notification program will be set up when the letters are sent out, and further public announcements will be made before the program begins in 1998.