Link above to the health alert about the “incident” in New South Wales. The media articles (which I won’t link to) are really pushing up the “health scare” issue in this case unfortunately, even though the situation has been deemed a low risk for transmission.
I just wanted to raise this story and make sure that people feel OK with sharing their reactions or experiences from such (negative) attention in the media about Hep B.
Please feel free to share your comments about this.
Thomas
Thanks for sharing. After reading the article, they are doing the right thing. But I also think maybe they are doing this to avoid any further lawsuit. They will say, when we become aware we shared this with the community immediately. I love that they stressed on the low transmission risk from this incidence, no identifier for the staff was shared, and providing testing and other assessments for the families involved.
But if some media articles are falsely spinning this, then I think the hospital can do a press release addressing any such falsehoods. I hope those falsehoods have not already caught fire on social media. I guess falsehood and lies pays, sadly. It is just a shame for any media to turn this into something bigger than this is. It is so frustrating.
Thanks. Bansah1
Media release from Hepatitis B Voices Australia:
MEDIA RELEASE
Supporting people living with hepatitis B and healthcare workers: media reports on hepatitis B and Nepean Hospital
14 March 2025Hepatitis B Voices Australia (HBVA), a community-led organisation extends its support to all individuals and families affected by hepatitis B across the country. The recent media reports about a healthcare worker with hepatitis B at Nepean Hospital may have been distressing for many people. HBVA offers our support to the families and the healthcare worker impacted by
this situation.Nafisa Yussf (@Nafisa.Yussf), Board Chair of Hepatitis B Voices Australia said:
“Hepatitis B is a very common and manageable liver condition. Providing appropriate diagnosis, management, and support to people living with hepatitis B is critical. Many people living with hepatitis B play a crucial role serving the community and improving health outcomes for all Australians”.Inflammatory headlines and misinformation can contribute to stigma, discrimination, and unnecessary distress in the community and may reduce critical care uptake. It is important that the media coverage not detract from the reality that the risk of hepatitis B transmission in healthcare settings is extremely low.
Under national guidelines, healthcare workers with hepatitis B can safely continue their work, with clinical measures in place for those performing procedures with a higher risk of exposure.
Critically, by offering universal testing and appropriate management for all Australians (including healthcare workers), we can prevent the already very low risk of transmission, and also protect the health and wellbeing of those already living with hepatitis B. Infants born in Australia since May 2000 have been vaccinated against hepatitis B in the universal immunisation program, with many others having been vaccinated through adolescent catch-up and other vaccination programs.
A/Prof Thomas Tu (@thomastu) , Vice-Chair of Hepatitis B Voices Australia and Founder of HepBCommunity.org, a safe online peer support group said:
“For people impacted by hepatitis B—whether newly diagnosed, living with the condition long term, or with loved ones touched by the condition—support is available from peers, experts, and advocates on our forum. We encourage individuals to speak with their doctor for medical advice, seek mental health support if needed, and connect with local hepatitis organisations”.At HBVA, we are committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring that everyone affected by hepatitis B has access to accurate information, care, and a supportive community.
For further information please contact:
Nafisa Yussf
Hepatitis B Voices Australia
E: info@hepbvoices.au
W: https://www.hepbvoices.au
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Jack Wallace reacted to your message: |
Thanks so much Prof
For always defending the community
I would side with Thomas here,
Although the notice is essential, the use of the vague term “a hospital co-worker has been found to be infectious with HBV” is not acceptable, especially coming from a hospital. Also unacceptable is not clarifying that this hospital worker likely had no idea they were infected to avoid negative bias against this person (who is also likely innocent). Also no mention to patients targeted that if they have already have been vaccinated with HBV, there is no significant risk of being infected but are welcome to come in and get tested if they wish.
