Hepatitis C deaths increase in Australia

Australia has witnessed a rise in Hepatitis C deaths, according to data released by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Thursday.

At least 630 Australians died of Hepatitis C last year, more than double the rate a decade ago, The Age reported.

Out of total 630, 150 deaths were reported in Victoria.

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.

The Hepatitis C virus is a blood-borne virus and the most common modes of infection are through unsafe injection practices, inadequate sterilisation of medical equipment and unscreened blood and blood products.

The most affected regions from the virus are Central and East Asia and North Africa.

"Young people and homosexual men are at a greater risk of contracting Hepatitis C because they are more likely to inject drugs or know people who do," said UNSW social health researcher John de Wit.

New medication for Hepatitis C has a 95 percent cure rate and is likely to become available in Australia within the next couple of years.

There is currently no vaccine for Hepatitis C, however, research in this area is ongoing.