Hepatitis C infections detected in Converse County

The Wyoming Department of Health recently detected a cluster of hepatitis C infections among injection drug users in Converse County.

“We know most people who become infected with the hepatitis C virus do so by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Tracy Murphy said in a news release. “With this cluster of three confirmed cases so far, some of the infected persons have reported sharing injection drug use equipment.”

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by a blood-borne virus. For some, hepatitis C is a short-term illness, but for 70 to 85 percent of people, it can become a long-term, chronic infection.

Chronic hepatitis C is a serious disease that can result in long-term health problems, even death.

“Because most infected persons are not ill and may not be aware of their infection, we are encouraging health-care providers across Wyoming to evaluate their patients’ risk for hepatitis C, including injection drug use, and to conduct hepatitis C testing if needed,” Murphy said.

The health department offers free or low-cost testing for hepatitis C to Wyoming residents. Vouchers for testing are available