It is the first time the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has compiled data on hepatitis C based on actual nationwide examinations.

A ministry official said the figure roughly matches ministry predictions based on data from past research.

"I hope that people will undergo these checks so that early detection of the infection is possible and they can get the appropriate treatment," the official said.

Local governments began conducting hepatitis C virus checks on people 40 years old and over as part of standard health studies in fiscal 2002 under a law covering the elderly.

Checks were performed on 1.8 million people, of whom 29,809 were found to be infected with hepatitis C.

The checks included periodic "milestone" inspections conducted on people at five-year intervals from the age of 40 until 70, and nonperiodic examinations of people at risk of being infected for such reasons as having undergone operations.

Not all local governments were able to conduct the checks, however, due to various factors, including lack of preparation, the health ministry said.

People are often not aware they have hepatitis C because the symptoms are difficult to recognize. If left untreated, the illness can lead to liver cancer or cirrhosis.

The health ministry estimates there are about 1.5 million people in Japan infected with hepatitis C.

The Japan Times: May 3, 2003
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