BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -
The State Health Department is getting ready to launch a life-saving campaign aimed at Asian-Americans in South Mississippi. The campaign targets a potentially deadly disease that's highly-prevalent in the Asian population. Health officials are taking steps to help prevent the infection from spreading.
It's a viral infection that attacks the liver. The inflammation can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and it's one of the leading causes of liver cancer. There is no cure. That silent killer is Hepatitis B.
"It's contracted through sexual contact, through sharing of infected needles. Also, through blood transfusions. And the important thing people might not know is it can be transmitted to an unborn baby through a pregnant mother who is positive," said Dr. Evelyn Walker with the Mississippi Department of Health.
Hepatitis B is one of the greatest health threats in the Asian population. It's estimated that one in seven Asian-Americans is a carrier, and most people don't even know they're infected. State health officials said one reason may be because the Hepatitis B vaccine is not required in some Asian countries.
"Because the education is not where it needs to be, people don't know that they're transmitting it. They don't know their status always," said Walker.
Next month, the State Health Department will launch its first Hepatitis B public awareness campaign. It focuses mainly in South Mississippi, because of the large number of Vietnamese-Americans here.
Officials will distribute literature about the disease in the Vietnamese language. They will also ask doctors to host seminars, and partner with church and community leaders to encourage people to get tested.
"If they're positive, there are a lot of health implications and there are a lot of resources that we're trying to seek out to possibly refer them to," said Walker. "If they're negative, it's important that they know they can get immunized."
By breaking the silence about Hepatitis B, health officials hope more people will take steps to protect themselves for life. In March, the State Health Department will participate in a health fair hosted by the non-profit group "Asian Americans for Change".
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