Hepatitis C Infection Surge Linked to Rampant Heroin Use

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The surge of heroin use and cases of subsequent Hepatitis C infection in central Ohio has alarmed state health officials.

Hepatitis C is a contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and can be spread through contact with the infected person's blood. Hepatitis C can be a lifelong disease and can lead to long-term liver problems, such as liver cancer or cirrhosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to a report by The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus Public Health stated that cases of Hepatitis C infection in the state has more than doubled in a year, with 10,020 in 2013 to 15,887 in 2014. The number of deaths from the liver disease last year tallied up to 1,369, significantly more than the 719 cases recorded 5 years ago.

The rampant use of heroin in the state could be blamed for the surge of the disease. In a report by the Washington Times, The Ohio Department of Health said that there has been a 30 percent increase in heroin-related deaths from 2012's 697 cases to 983 cases in 2013 .

In line with this, Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long and other officials are figuring out how to address the heroin abuse in the area. Two options they are considering are combining a needle exchange program with access to treatment for those who are suffering from Hepatitis C and the distribution of naloxone, a medication that counters the effects of opioids in users to prevent overdose.

"We are learning about it. We are interested in anything that would protect people," Dr. Long told Dispatch. "We are interested in considering all the options."

According to the CDC, a needle (syringe) exchange program is when a drug abuser exchanges their needles for free at the designated local government network to reduce the spread of HCV, hepatitis B virus, HIV, and other blood-borne pathogens.

The Ohio law mandates that a state health emergency has to be declared before it can provide free and clean needles. Although there are already a number of needle-exchange programs in the state of Ohio, the need for more programs, especially in Columbus may be enabled. 

Heroin abuse is becoming an epidemic in the entire country as heroin-related deaths have quadrupled in just 10 years, according to ABC News. The increased use of heroin has been linked to opioid painkillers.