225 people found to have 'silent killer' virus after mass testing

225 people found to have 'silent killer' virus after mass testing

The NHS has found 225 people with a silent but deadly virus as part of efforts to stamp out the disease and identify more victims of the infected blood scandal. Officials said more than 100,000 people have ordered at-home hepatitis C tests since the service was launched in May 2023.

This includes 15,463 tests ordered in the week after the Infected Blood Inquiry published its final report on May 2024. Hepatitis C is a virus that is passed on through blood-to-blood contact and infects the liver. The disease is known as a “silent killer” as some people can live with the virus for many years before realising that they are infected.

But the delay in diagnosis can lead to irreparable liver damage, including scarring and can