DHEC offering free testing Tuesday on National Hepatitis Testing Day

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– This week, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is encouraging South Carolinians to know their status and get tested. The health agency is offering free testing Tuesday, which is National Hepatitis Testing Day.

South Carolina is currently experiencing a Hepatitis A outbreak, with more than 2,000 cases identified since November 2018, according to health officials. In 2019, 527 cases of chronic Hepatitis B and more than 7,000 cases of chronic Hepatitis C were diagnosed statewide.

“Hepatitis is a hidden illness. Millions of Americans are living with chronic hepatitis and don’t know they are infected. The only way to find out is to be tested,” said Ali Mansaray, director of the Division of STD/HIV/Viral Hepatitis. “Detecting viral hepatitis early can help people avoid serious outcomes, such as liver cancer or the need for a liver transplant.”

To find testing near you, call 1-855-4SCDHEC (1-855-472-3432) or visit gis.dhec.sc.gov/HIVLocator/.