Report highlights rise in blood viruses among drug users

The number of intravenous drug users with blood-borne viruses like HIV and hepatitis C is higher than in the early 1990s, according to a new report from the Health Research Board.

The report says almost 70% of intravenous drug users have hepatitis C, while nearly 10% are HIV positive.

It also says around 60 new cases of HIV have been diagnosed annually among drug-users since 2000, compared to around 20 cases in 1994.

The rise is being blamed on the increasing practice of taking cocaine intravenously.

Elsewhere, the Health Research Board says only 20% of drug users with hepatitis C get advice or help from a doctor, despite major improvements in the treatment of the illness in recent years.