Thousands in NI being offered testing for Celtic curse
BBC••world
Key Points:
- Haemochromatosis, known as the Celtic Curse, is the most common genetic disorder in Northern Ireland, primarily affecting people of Irish and Scots ancestry, and can cause serious health issues if untreated.
- Haemochromatosis UK is offering free genetic screening to up to 23,500 households in areas including Irvinestown, Portadown, Ballymena, and Magherafelt to identify undiagnosed cases and improve data on the disorder's prevalence.
- Symptoms of haemochromatosis include fatigue, joint pain, and abdominal issues, but many people remain unaware until diagnosed; early detection allows for effective treatments like therapeutic blood removal.
- The Department of Health currently screens only symptomatic patients based on UK National Screening Committee
