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http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article.jhtml?articleID=540696
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| Tuesday 27 May 2003 |
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Updated: 06 May, 10:50 (GMT+1) |
Alarm sounded over hepatitis infection
Health officials in Norway have admitted that hundreds of peole who received blood transfusions in the country before 1993 may have been infected with the hepatitis C virus. They're urging them all to report to their doctors for testing.
Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) claimed Tuesday that as many as 1,500 people may unknowingly be carrying the virus. Health officials put the estimated number at between 100 and 1,000.
They admit, however, that they haven't taken the virus threat seriously enough. "It's now easy to see that health authorities haven't done enough for those who may have been infected with the hepatitis C virus through blood transfusions," said Bjorn-Inge Larsen of the state health directorate.
Tests to reveal the presence of the virus in blood samples have been secure since 1993. Blood transfusions received before that time, however, carried the risk of hepatitis infection.
The virus can linger in the human body for many years before displaying any symptoms. It can ultimately lead to such diseases as jaundice or liver cancer.
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