ATHENS, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Greece's National Public Health Organisation (NPHO) warned on Thursday against "Silent" Hepatitis C epidemic, ahead of the upcoming World Hepatitis Day (WHD) on July 28.
According to data published by NPHO, Greece has an estimated number of 200,000 carriers of hepatitis B and 100,000 more have been infected by Hepatitis C, of whom 75,000 was unaware of the infection.
The high-risk group of contracting the disease are intravenous drug users and prison inmates, particularly those convicted of offenses related to drugs.
Hepatitis B vaccination has been included in the National Vaccine Program of Greece and is the only effective way to prevent the disease and its complications, according to Greek national news agency AMNA.
In addition, a combination of antiviral drugs has significantly contributed to the treatment of viral hepatitis B.
A strategic goal in the country is the eradication of hepatitis C by the year 2030 through the National Action Plan.
According to the plan, all those who were born between 1945 and 1980 must be checked for antibodies to each of the hepatitis viruses. This recommendation is suggested automatically to people of these age limits during the prescription of drugs through National Organization for the Provision of Health Services (EOPYY), in order to identify people who are infected with the hepatitis C virus and was unaware.
Today, all patients have access to new therapies that lead to complete virus clearance and healing of the infection.
