SIXTY nine people in Blackburn with Darwen are expected to die from Hepatitis C by 2015, according to new figures.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the blood-bourne disease “remains a major public health problem”, with 1,023 people living with the condition in the borough, and an estimated 136 who need treatment.

For the whole of Lancashire, the figure is 5,711 cases, with 387 expected to die within three years. Another 60 are thought to be unaware they are infected.

Although overall in the North West infection figures have decreased since 2009, infections are up 48 per cent in Blackburn with Darwen, and up 75 per cent for Lancashire. The prevalence is said to be linked to the high number of injecting drug users in the area.

The annual cost of treatment is currently £742,728 in Blackburn with Darwen, and over £4million for Lancashire.

Dr Evdokia Dardamissis, the North West’s Regional Hepatitis C lead, said: “We are working closely with our NHS partners and drug services to improve surveillance and research and to increase public awareness, particularly amongst injecting drug users because they are at greatest risk in this region.

“If we can raise public awareness, the people who are most at risk can take measures to prevent themselves from becoming infected and those who are already infected can be brought into highly effective treatment programmes.

“An important message is that people who believe that they may have been exposed to hepatitis C infection should arrange to be tested for the virus. Tests can be arranged through GPs or drug services.”

The Hepatitis C virus causes inflammation of the liver and, when left untreated, can result in chronic liver disease, liver failure and even death.

Those most at risk of hepatitis C infection are people who have injected drugs using unsterile needles and syringes.

The HPA figure of 22,500 adults living with hepatitis C disease in the North West is likely to be an underestimation, as the liver continues to work even when damaged and symptoms only occur when the liver damage is serious.

Hepatitis C is spread primarily by blood-to-blood contact associated with intravenous drug use, poorly sterilised medical equipment and transfusions.