Beginning in January, 9 Investigates began tracking the number of hepatitis C cases, and the number of people infected with the disease is alarming, officials said.
“More people accessing drugs or accessing heroin are putting more people at risk,” Dr. Fredrico Hinestrosa told investigative reporter Daralene Jones.
CENTRAL FLORIDA — 9 Investigates started digging into the problem in May when a news release got the attention of a producer.
The Orange County Health Department was trying to raise awareness about the disease, encouraging Baby Boomers to get tested. But there was no mention of its relationship to the heroin epidemic.
“If people are using injection drug use for heroin or fentanyl or opioids, absolutely they are increasing their risk. I'll give you that as a talking point,” said Dr. Kevin Sharin of the Orange County Health Department.
The numbers readily available on a Florida Department of Health database are astounding. The state reports more than 3,300 cases of hepatitis C across Central Florida just halfway through 2016.
There were about 4,700 cases in 2014, and about the same number in 2015.
9 Investigates has been tracking cases, week-by-week since January. 9 Investigates’ report breaks down the numbers by county.
Orange County reported the highest number of cases with 935, followed by Brevard County, with more than 409.
Dr. Fredrico Hinestrosa, who tracks and treats infectious diseases, believes that there is a direct correlation to the heroin epidemic.
“Yes, because the heroin epidemic, the main way of consumption, is going to be by intravenous usage,” Hinestrosa said.
When drug addicts share needles, they're also sharing body fluids, which is how hepatitis C is transmitted. Hepatitis C attacks the liver, and it can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Officials said the disease is spreading quickly, despite it being treatable.
“These medications are expensive. That's an insurance question about access,” Sharin said.
Treatment has advanced in the last two years, but it's not cheap. A pill that kicks in over a three-month period can cost about $84,000, according to published reports by the FDA.
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