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THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE hepatitis C has been all but eradicated in people suffering from the blood condition haemophilia – who were infected when they were given contaminated blood.
The announcement today that upwards of 90% of the 220 people who were infected with the disease – which was passed them when they were given contaminated blood transfusions during the 1970s and 80s – was welcomed by the Irish Haemophilia Society.
Haemophilia is a genetic condition in which a person’s blood doesnt clot properly, meaning they could bleed much more profusely from cuts.
Throughout the 1970s and 80s, patients with haemophilia were given blood products which contained the hepatitis C virus, which was only formally identified in 1989.
In total, 266 people were infected with the disease through blood or blood products. Many have died since as a result of the infection, and the State has paid out large sums of money to survivors.
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There have been a number of treatment programmes offered to survivors in the intervening years.
Today, Health Minister Simon Harris said he was “delighted” to announce that the HSE National Hepatitis C Treatment Programme had had a very high success rate for haemophilia patients.
“I am so delighted for all the patients who can now look forward to a bright, healthy future,” said Harris.
The effective eradication of this disease will transform the lives of these patients, their families and those who continue to access the new direct acting anti-viral medicines under the Programme.
Commenting on the news, Brian O’Mahony, chief executive of the Irish Haemophilia Society, said that the news meant that the disease was “effectively eradicated” in the haemophilia population.
He said that anyone who wanted treatment for hepatitis C was given it, and “has now been cleared” of the disease.
There is no cure for haemophilia, however with proper treatment and self-care most people with the condition can live healthy, active lives.
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It would seem so. In tomorrow’s news the government are claiming some more credit because the number of annual deaths caused by the great famine are now at an amazing ‘zero’.
Let’s not forget that Bayer were completely aware of a blood product they had for haemophiliac children was contaminated with a strain of the Aids virus and yet got rid of it out of the American market and shipped it to South America and Europe where they knew they were infecting children with Aids. As much as the above is great news. Don’t ever trust a pharmaceutical company. They will infect children with Aids intentionally to make a profit !!! That’s an actual fact !!!
@Maire: I know Marie, absolutely mental and yet as you can see from my comment 4 people seem to believe that this is acceptable behaviour and that these people are more than trustworthy and that we shouldn’t question a single thing that they do from here on in !!! It beggars belief, just as much as the ignorance people still have for these organisations that allows them to continue carrying out such atrocities.
Nope Coleman, a red thumb does not mean people think it’s ‘acceptable behaviour’. Rather, people tend to red thumb claims made without a link to a story/paper from a reputable source
@Rónán O’Suilleabháin: Well Ronan a basic search online and you can find that stuff out yourself. It was reported in Mainstream news. It’s not that difficult. Do you need someone to wipe your arse as well.
You’re the one making claims – it’s not for readers to fact check you. If you want your precious green thumbs back it up yourself.
Or maybe don’t worry about the red thumbs in the first place this isn’t a popularity contest or a place for you to get confirmation that your views are somehow more correct because the journal rabble approve.
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