HK Sets Sight To Eliminate Hepatitis Threat By 2030

Hong Kong is to test thousands of babies from next year to ensure they develop proper immunity against Hepatitis B as health authorities announced a plan to eliminate the threat of viral hepatitis from the city by 2030.

Health Secretary Sophia Chan said the first step towards the elimination of these disease that affects hundreds of thousands in the city is a four-year plan to tackle the spread of hepatitis B and C.

Hepatitis B affects babies born to mothers with that disease. They are now given standard vaccination against the virus which is effective in 90 to 95 percent cases.

Chan said the government will begin providing serological tests next year for around 3,000 babies born to mothers with Hepatitis B, after they've been given the vaccination.

The additional tests are aimed at checking whether these more vulnerable babies have developed sufficient immunity against the virus and whether another round of vaccination is needed.

Chan said there are 540,000 people infected with hepatitis B in Hong Kong, and around 22,000 people have hepatitis C.

Both illnesses can lead to chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis or even liver cancer.

The health secretary said the government will acquire more new anti-viral drugs for treating hepatitis C. All patients with chronic infection will be eligible for such treatment starting next year.

The official also said additional nurse clinics will soon be set up in eight hospitals to assist doctors in handling patients with hepatitis.