Over 12,400 drug users infected with Hep C, study finds

A study has provided the first comprehensive national estimate of the incidence of hepatitis C among people who regularly inject drugs.

Researchers led by scientists at the Health Research Board have estimated that more than 9,317 of drug users with hepatitis C suffer from chronic forms of the disease.

The research team said there could also be a significant number of undiagnosed cases of hepatitis C among recent immigrants here. They said that although asylum seekers are routinely offered infectious disease testing, there is no systematic testing for other migrants.