Page 4473 - Week 14 - Thursday, 9 December 1993
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Hepatitis
MR BERRY: In response to a question from Mr Humphries yesterday, I said that I would have the matter of hepatitis examined. I apologise for the length of this response, but it is necessary to get it on the record. I would like to deal separately with the different types of hepatitis, as the reasons for the increase and the appropriate responses are different in each case. Firstly, hepatitis A: This virus is not transmitted via blood but usually via contamination of food.
Mrs Carnell: That is what I said yesterday.
MR BERRY: No, you did not. Mrs Carnell seems to think she knows everything about this. If she does and if she is such an expert, why does Gary Humphries not ask her for the answer? Because he is not game. He is not sure that he would get the right one. He is not game to ask her the question because he is not sure that he would get the right answer. Mrs Carnell thinks she knows, but Mr Humphries does not think she does.
For A, there were seven cases in the last quarter, the same figure as in the March quarter. There are usually a small number of sporadic cases and the numbers fluctuate from quarter to quarter. All cases reported are followed up by the Public and Environmental Health Service to ensure that further spread is prevented. That is why we need strong food laws, Mr Humphries.
Mr Humphries: Why have they increased?
Ms Follett: They have not; they are the same.
MR BERRY: Have you got that? We are getting to hepatitis B. Listen closely. Hepatitis B can be transmitted both sexually and via the sharing of intravenous needles. Recent increases in reporting of hepatitis B, and to some extent hepatitis C, may be in part explained by recent improvements in the disease reporting systems in the ACT. Improved liaison with private pathology laboratories in recent times has resulted in an increase in direct reporting from laboratories, even where the tests are carried out in Sydney, for example. The trend in reporting of hepatitis B over the next few quarters will be closely monitored to see whether there is an actual increase in new cases or simply improved reporting.
Hepatitis C is transmitted primarily by the sharing of needles.
Mrs Carnell: That is right. That is what I said yesterday.
MR BERRY: I do not know why you do not ask Mrs Carnell these questions.
Mr Humphries: I will in future, if I get these sorts of answers, frankly.
MR BERRY: You get the full answer from me. Why waste the time of this Assembly if you have a chance of such a fulsome response from Mrs Carnell?
Mr Humphries: Will you just answer the question?
MR BERRY: A test for hepatitis C became available only in 1990 and, naturally, over the short period of time since, there has been a progressive increase in the use of the test and in an understanding of the disease, particularly its potential for long-term consequences. The test results reported do not distinguish between
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