MS Health Dept. targeting Hepatitis B on the coast

BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -

The Mississippi Department of Health has teamed up with two Vietnamese churches to sponsor another round of free health screenings for Hepatitis B. Sunday, there was along line of folks waiting to be tested at the Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church in Biloxi.

"We're doing it in the Vietnamese community because of the high prevalence of Hepatitis B... in fact in all Asian populations," Dr. Evelyn Walker said. "It's important that people know their status. That they know if they have Hepatitis, or if they have history of Hepatitis B exposure, because Hepatitis B can lead to serious problems with the liver includingcirrhosis of the liver, and liver cancer."

Church leaders and members said they're thankful for the attention given to awareness and prevention.

"I want to say thank you to Dr. Walker and the crew for coming over. We're so grateful to have them," Pastor Jimmy Pham said. "This is important because so many Vietnamese people don't know if they're positive for Hepatitis B. So if they are, they have medications for treatment. If they're negative we can have immunizations that will help prevent Hepatitis B."

About 90 people were screened Sundaymorning, and asecond round of screenings took place later in the day inOcean Springs.

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MS Health Dept. targeting Hepatitis B on the coast