The AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area will be holding a number of open events outside North Bay City Hall on Thursday to mark World Hepatitis Day. Mayor Al McDonald will read an official proclamation declaring World Hepatitis Day in North Bay, and ACNBA staff, volunteers, peers and supporters including reps for Nipissing-Temiskaming MP Anthony Rota and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli will be in attendance. Free, rapid hepatitis C testing will be available. An on-site BBQ will be held for all attendees to enjoy free hotdogs and hamburgers, and take part in games to test their knowledge of viral hepatitis and win prizes. The events will run from 10:30am until 2:00pm.
Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by viral infection, and nearly 600,000 Canadians are affected by hepatitis B and/or C. It can take decades before symptoms appear, and as a result an estimated 44% of those infected are not aware of their status. One in 12 people worldwide has viral hepatitis and approximately 1.4 million people die of the disease annually.
