DORSET parents have been reassured about the risk of their children contracting potentially fatal hepatitis B following a recommendation that every baby in Britain should be immunised against the virus.

Dr Sue Bennett, consultant at the Dorset Health Protection Unit, said prevalence, although rising in the UK, was "very low" in the county compared to city areas such as London.

"It's not really much of an issue for us here," she said. "What happens at the moment is that all pregnant women are screened for hepatitis B. If they are found to be positive, their babies are vaccinated at birth.

"The system works very well and is run by all the midwives and obstetric units in the big hospitals. It's a very slick screening programme."

The British Medical Association wants all babies to be immunised against hepatitis B, which is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV and can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and cancer.

Dr Bennett said a national working group was looking into the issue, but no decision had been taken. The Health Protection Agency is carrying out a study to find out how common hepatitis B is in inner city schools.

Hepatitis B infection can only be identified by a blood test. Although most adults infected with it recover following early treatment, around one in 10 become carriers and may continue to infect others. About one in five carriers go on to develop serious liver disease.

The virus is transmitted by contact with blood or body fluids, usually through unprotected sex; sharing needles; using unsterilised equipment for tattooing or body piercing; blood transfusion in countries where blood is not tested; and from infected mothers to babies.

In some countries, transmission from child to child is not uncommon, via open wounds, or saliva as a result of biting and sharing toys. Sharing toothbrushes and razors also poses a risk to people.

The incidence of hepatitis B in Dorset is highest among gay men and drug users, particularly those who are in prison.

First published: May 13