Pubdate: Sun, 28 Jul 2002 Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA) Copyright: 2002 The Fresno Bee Contact: http://www.fresnobee.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/161 Author: Joan Clore Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) FIGHTING HEPATITIS I attended a meeting July 10 at Community Health Center-Sierra, in which a hepatitis C task force was to be put in place. Jena Adams chaired the meeting. There were several organizations present: Health Department, Veterans Administration, Roche Pharmacy, WestCare California, along with several liver transplant recipients and Dr. Marc Lasher. The only suggestion I heard was from Dr. Lasher, who suggested a needle exchange program that must be initiated immediately to stop the spread of this life-threatening disease. The health department should be able to give us some direction. The presentation of the epidemiology of hepatitis C was made by Renee Witcher-Johnson, MPH. I was astounded by the increased numbers in the Valley infected by this disease. I was really impressed by the Veterans Administration and its approach to this deadly disease. It seems it is the only organization in Fresno that has taken time to discuss this issue with its patients who are at risk for this disease, perform proper laboratory tests and have documentation on these patients. What is it going to take for Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties to get a task force started? San Luis Obispo County started one five years ago. This may be the place we should start to find out how we can get some funding. My nephew was recently diagnosed with hepatitis C. He already had liver damage because of a prescription given for parasites, which he contracted while serving in Afghanistan. He will eventually need a liver transplant. He was one of the heroes at the Pentagon on Sept. 11. Joan Clore, Fresno - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens