Central Carolina Liver Associaton 

Viral Hepatitis/ Hepatitis C

It is estimated that over 150,000 North Carolinians are infected with HCV:  over 100,000 of them are chronically infected. Due to the insidious nature of this disease, it is likely that most of these North Carolinians are unaware of their HCV infection.

For this reason, our state has focused attention on increasing public awareness of and providing education about hepatitis C. To this end, a packet of hepatitis C information and materials has been developed for consumers as well as for healthcare professionals.   These packets are available not only through the state Hepatitis C Program, but also through each local health department in the state. In addition, “Hepatitis C: Get the Facts, A Resource Guide for North Carolinians ”, a compilation of hepatitis related resources available throughout the state, is also available through the same sites. The resource guide provides lists of HCV support groups, healthcare providers who treat hepatitis C, and websites with HCV information, as well as general information and education about HCV. 

NC has worked hard to educate medical professionals about HCV. State and local public health staff  have been educated about HCV and have incorporated this information in their professional practice. Articles on HCV have been published in the state medical and nursing professional magazines. Two HCV Symposiums for healthcare workers and medical professionals have been held in the state, one in 2006 and one in 2007.

HCV services and community outreach to is provided to high risk persons and those with difficulties accessing traditional care systems.   The folks are encouraged to get tested for HIV and HCV, get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B,  and to learn more about  preventing  transmission of disease by decreasing or modifying high risk behaviors. 

HCV testing is done with an MD order at most local health departments; there usually is a charge for the test.   Two of the local health departments have pilot projects that offer free HCV testing.  Vaccination for hepatitis A and B is offered free for patients with HCV, along with counseling, education, and referral for further testing and possible treatment. 

North Carolina is fortunate to have three excellent liver programs, one at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , one at Duke University Medical Center, and the third at Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte..  Each site has world-known hepatologists, provide treatment, conduct clinical trials, and have liver transplant programs. The state also has a very active Viral Hepatitis Taskforce that works to increase awareness of hepatitis C and   advocates for funding to develop and implement HCV services.

For more information about viral hepatitis in NC, please go to http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/gcdc/hepatitis.html, or contact Susan Thompson, RN, MPH, Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinator at 919-733-9601or by email at

susan.thompson@ncmail.net .

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Doctors who Treat Hep C in NC

NC Support Groups

Upcoming Hep C Events in U.S.

An upcoming expert summit on viral hepatitis, “The Dawn of a New Era: Transforming our Domestic Response to Hepatitis B & C,” taking place in Washington, DC September 10-11.

The event will bring key stakeholders together to promote improved prevention, disease detection and medical care for hepatitis B and C, and to work toward a better national response to these diseases. A detailed agenda is attached.  Scheduled speakers include:

• John W. Ward, M.D., Director, CDC Division of Viral Hepatitis
• Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA), Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
• Congressman Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
• Ronald O. Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Anna S.F. Lok, M.D., Director of Clinical Hepatology, University of Michigan
• Eugene R. Schiff, M.D., Director, Center for Liver Diseases, University of Miami School of Medicine
• Jeff Caballero, Executive Director, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations

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Event sponsors include the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the American Gastroenterological Association AGA Institute and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, with independent educational grant support provided by Gilead Sciences, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. 

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