Australia: Murray Bridge trials hepatitis C treatment project

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Murray Bridge could be the first city in the world to eliminate hepatitis C when it hosts a national pilot project this March.

Hepatitis SA are bringing a new revolution of treatment for the chronic disease to town in the effort to stop the spread of viral hepatitis worldwide by 2030.

Despite an unprecedented number of Australians being cured of the disease in the past year, treatment uptake has proven slower in rural and regional areas.

Murray Bridge will trial a whole-community approach to raise awareness about liver health and increase testing and treatment of hepatitis C.

Local doctors, sporting clubs and services will collaborate to offer testing to the community and education around symptoms of the disease and how it is spread.

As of March 16, general practitioners will also be able to prescribe “new ground-breaking treatments” to those carrying the disease.

Read more…http://www.murrayvalleystandard.com.au/story/4463377/murray-bridge-leads-global-fight-against-hepatitis-c/