Charles Gore, chief executive of the Hepatitis C Trust, said former and current injecting drugs users and people who received a blood transfusion before September 1991 are most at risk.

“Stigma, shame and fear suffocate awareness and prevent people from getting tested, getting treatment and clearing themselves of this disease,” said Mr Gore.

“Hepatitis C is a progressive illness, therefore the sooner you know you have the disease, the sooner you can take action to help yourself, and the more success you can have in alleviating symptoms, slowing progression and even clearing the virus.

“It’s not a surprise to hear only 1700 of 5000 people in Tayside have been diagnosed so far. The situation is worse in England, where it would be just 500 or 1000 diagnosed (out of 5000).

“Globally 50% of people with Hepatitis C are undiagnosed. In Scotland two thirds of people are undiagnosed, but in England it’s between 80-90%.

“If you are worried that you may have been exposed to Hepatitis C, uncertainty can be a lot more stressful than knowing you do have it. If you have been unwell, taking a test will either eliminate Hepatitis C as a possible cause or, if you receive a positive result, it can explain your symptoms and knowing why you feel the way you do can be a big relief. And, once you do know, you have a range of options for addressing the disease.”

Mr Gore said although Hepatitis C is a serious health issue, treatment is available that, in a significant number of cases, can clear the virus and can also slow down disease progression.

Simple lifestyle changes such as reducing your alcohol intake, cutting down on smoking and improving your diet can also make a significant difference to a Hepatitis C sufferer’s health.

The Scottish Executive yesterday announced a £4 million action plan to tackle the virus.

Tayside has been awarded over a quarter of a million pounds over the next two years to tackle Hepatitis C and reduce the number of new cases.

A further £314,000 has also been allocated to an Executive-led campaign, which will focus on improving knowledge among professionals to ensure that the people and their families affected by Hepatitis C get the support they need and access to the best treatment and care available.