Free hepatitis screening to be expanded from August: HPA

Taipei, July 25 (CNA) The Health Promotion Administration (HPA) said Friday it will extend its free hepatitis screening policy to those born before 1986 starting Aug. 1, benefiting nearly 2 million more people.

The one free hepatitis B and C screening policy previously only covered those aged 45-79 since its launch in 2011. The HPA is making the change to align with the World Health Organization's (WHO) goal of eradicating viral Hepatitis by 2030, according to HPA Director General Wu Chao-chun (吳昭軍).

The HPA said in a statement that hepatitis B positive rates in Taiwan have dropped from 15.6 to 9.5 percent, and hepatitis C positive rates from 3.6 to 1.5 percent since 2011.

The HPA said the results serve as "a solid foundation" to achieve the goal of eradicating hepatitis C in Taiwan by 2025.

Wu added that with screening and treatment, it is possible to fully recover from hepatitis C and mitigate future risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

In addition, the administration reminded the public daily habits are also vital to preventing hepatitis.

Hepatitis B transmits through contact with blood and bodily fluids, which is why sharing personal items like needles, toothbrushes and razors should be avoided, said the HPA.

Hepatitis C transmits through blood-to-blood contact, and people should be cautious when getting ear piercings, tattoos, and acupuncture therapies, the HPA said.

With World Hepatitis Day on July 28, the WHO called on nations around the world to "dismantle the financial, social and systemic barriers -- including stigma -- that stand in the way of hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention."