'Killer' cocaine notes

Thousands of people are at risk of contracting deadly hepatitis C from sharing rolled-up banknotes to snort cocaine, experts claim.

The liver disease has reached epidemic proportions, affecting one in 100 people throughout Britain and one in 50 in parts of London. Nasal mucus and specks of blood on straws or banknotes passed between cocaine users are spreading the virus, said consultant hepatologist Prof Graham Foster.

"Cocaine snorting is a much underappreciated risk factor. Most people have no idea there is a link," he added.

"I would recommend anyone who has shared cocaine paraphernalia see their GP for a hepatitis C test as it is a virus that could kill them."

Pinprick tests show it to be ten times more infectious than HIV. Worldwide, about 170 million people are infected. In the US, a study suggested about one in 20 people with the hepatitis C virus got it from snorting cocaine.

Other risk factors include sharing drug needles, body piercings, tattooing and possibly sharing a razor or toothbrush. The risk of contracting it from sex is thought to be low.

Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson, who recently said she feared it would kill her, claims she caught the disease by sharing a tattoo needle with ex-husband Tommy Lee. The disease is often called the silent killer as those who have it can remain free of symptoms for years.

Charles Gore, of the Hepatitis C Trust, said he believed infection rates in Britain were twice Government estimates. "This is a time bomb waiting to go off," he added.

The health service would be unable to cope with the number of patients with liver failure in ten to 20 years unless more was done to make people aware of the dangers, he warned.