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.
For more information, visit Hepatitis Queensland’s website at www.hepcantwait.org.au
World Hepatitis Day is on 28 July – the birthday of Baruch S. Blumberg who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1976 for his Hepatitis B research.
Key Qld facts:
- There are 47,029 people living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C in Queensland.
- More than half (63%) of those with hepatitis C have received treatment since 2016. But only 1469 or 9% received treatment for hepatitis C in 2022.
- There were about 3000 people with hepatitis B who received treatment in 2022 (9.8%), and 20.1% of people living with hepatitis B are in care.
- More than 32,744 people in Queensland are currently living with hepatitis B, almost 80% have not been diagnosed.
- Routine blood tests do NOT screen for the hepatitis virus – patients must request it.
- We need population-wide testing of hepatitis B, so that every Australian knows their hepatitis B status and can get appropriate treatment and care.
- About 14,285 people are living with hepatitis C in Queensland with 9% treated and cured in 2022.
- Hepatitis B is one of the most common risk factors for liver cancer – the fastest growing cause of cancer deaths in Australia.
- We are protecting children from hepatitis B as 95% of Australian babies have received the vaccination.
- People affected by hepatitis B and hepatitis C can access information and support via Heplink Australia (formerly the National Hepatitis Infoline) on 1800 437 222 (1800 HEP ABC) or www.heplink.au
The following buildings in Queensland cities and towns will be lit up with green lights to draw attention to the need to take action to stop hepatitis in its tracks:
28th July
Brisbane landmarks
- Parliament House
- Brisbane City Hall
- King George Square
- Story Bridge
- Victoria Bridge
- Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges
- Kurilpa Bridge
- Reddacliff Place Sculptures
- Tropical Dome, Brisbane Botanic Gardens
- Breakfast Creek Bridge
- Wickham Terrace Car Park architectural wall
29th July
- Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Regional landmarks
- 1 Nicholas St Façade, Ipswich
- Ipswich Civic Centre
- Heritage Façade Lights, Rockhampton
- Sir Abbott Administration Building, Mackay
- Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
- Julia Creek Water Tower, Julia Creek
- Jacaranda Tower, Underwood
- Telfer Street Tower, Shailer Park
- Wineglass Water Tower, Hillcrest
- Water Tower, Longreach
- Victoria Street Bridge, Toowoomba
- Fig Trees, Bundaberg
Heplink www.heplink.au plays a crucial role in providing free, confidential, localised information and support to anyone, anywhere in Australia.
Find out more about World Hepatitis Day https://www.worldhepatitisday.org.au/get_involved
Download World Hepatitis Day Factsheet for more information and sources.
Media Contact: Linda Apps 0433 999 017
Hepatitis Queensland CEO Dr Anna Hawkes
E: anna@hepqld.asn.au ph: 0423842045 or 07 3846 0020
Key Facts:
-
There are 47,029 people living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C in Queensland.
-
More than half (63%) of those with hepatitis C have received treatment since 2016. But only 1469 or 9% received treatment for hepatitis C in 2022.
-
There were about 3000 people with hepatitis B who received treatment in 2022 (9.8%), and 20.1% of people living with hepatitis B are in care.
-
More than 32,744 people in Queensland are currently living with hepatitis B, almost 80% have not been diagnosed.
-
Routine blood tests do NOT screen for the hepatitis virus – patients must request it.
Contact details:
Linda Apps 0433 999 017
Hepatitis Queensland CEO Dr Anna Hawkes E: anna@hepqld.asn.au
ph: 0423842045 or 07 3846 0020
