A DRIVE to prevent the spread of the potentially fatal liver disease hepatitis C has been launched by Bolton's health bosses.

The borough's Primary Care Trust and Bolton's Drug Action Team have joined forces to raise awareness of the condition.

Figures reveal that 16 new cases of hepatitis C were recorded in Bolton in the first six months of this year.

The figure could actually be higher as doctors do not have to report all new cases.

Communicable disease nurse Graham Munslow said: "Hepatitis C is a virus that we have been aware of for less than 20 years. There are effective drug treatments and we are learning more about the virus all the time.

"We must stress that the vast majority of the population will never be affected by hepatitis C, but we do need to give important messages to people who might be at risk."

Hepatitis C is often dubbed the "silent" illness because many sufferers are unaware they have it, but it is believed to affect 0.4 per cent of Bolton's population.

Those who are most at risk are those who inject or take drugs nasally or who share injecting equipment, including those who inject steroids or sniff cocaine. It can also be passed on through tattooing or piercing if unsterilised equipment is used.

There is a lower risk of it being passed through unprotected sex, or through sharing a toothbrush or razor with someone who has the disease.

A working party has now been set up in Bolton to see how hepatitis C can be tackled and to draw up plans for an awareness campaign aimed at those most at risk.

Mr Munslow said: "Anyone who is concerned they might be at risk should contact their GP or the community drug team on 01204 397129 and ensure others do not come into contact with their blood and that any equipment used for drug taking is destroyed after use."

Hepatitis C is a viral infection, with symptoms including fatigue, weight loss, joint pains, and flu-like symptoms. In about 75 per cent of cases infection lasts for more than six months, but one in five people with hepatitis C develop liver cirrhosis.