Listen Now: 
The Hepatitis Foundation has introduced a new finger prick test for Hepatitis B.
The point of care test is less invasive than a blood test and gives results in only 15 minutes.
Chief executive Susan Hay says the foundation is partnering with many community health care organisations and kaupapa Māori partners to run the tests.
Anyone over the age of 30 years of age who is not vaccinated against Hepatitis B should have a POC as an initial test.
High-risk groups include people of Māori, Pacific Island or east Asian ethnicity, anyone with a mother or close family member who has the virus or who shares a household with someone who has it.
Hepatitis B and C are the main causes of liver cancer in New Zealand, but there are often no symptoms.
July 28 is World Hepatitis Day.
RELATED NEWS
