Governor Approves Hepatitis C Task Force

A measure to increase public awareness of Hepatitis C has been signed into law by Governor Brad Henry. Senator Angela Monson is principal author of SB which was coauthored by Representative Opio Toure. The legislation directs the State Commissioner of Health to convene a task force on the disease.
Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop has called Hepatitis C a worse threat to public health in American than HIV. Yet millions of Americans dont know anything about it. Weve got to do a better job of educating Oklahomans about this disease. Thats what we hope to accomplish with this task force, said Senator Monson.
It is estimated that nearly four million Americans have been infected and are at risk of developing chronic liver disease the tenth leading cause of death among adults in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Hepatitis Crelated chronic liver disease is expected to increase substantially during the next 0 to 20 years. Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and nausea.
The disease occurs by the transfer of blood or other bodily fluids and can be spread through sharing needles or from accidentally being stuck by a needle. If the equipment has not been properly cleaned, getting a tattoo or body piercing could also expose someone to the virus. Currently there is no vaccine for the Hepatitis C. Senator Monson said that because there was no reliable Hepatitis screening test for donated blood or organs until 992, it is likely there are Oklahomans who may have been exposed but dont realize it.
And this is a disease that can be fatal. Thats why we need to determine the best way to teach the public about what Hepatitis C is, how to prevent it and what their treatment options are if they have become infected, said Monson.
The task force has until December st of this year to complete its work and report back to the chairs of the Senate Human Resources Committee and the House Public Health Committee.