THE transmission of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) - which is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV - is on the rise in the UK, and experts are now so worried that they say it makes both medical and economic sense to immunise all British children against HBV.

The virus can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and cancer, and it is estimated that two people die every minute from HBV, with 350 million chronic carriers around the globe - or five per cent of the world's population.

Around a quarter of these carriers will develop serious liver disease, including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and primary liver cancer, which in itself results in more than one million deaths each year.

But despite the statistics, the UK is one of the few developed countries not to routinely immunise babies against HBV following universal World Health Organisation recommendations that all children should receive the vaccination by 1997.

In 2000, 565 cases of acute hepatitis B infection were reported in England and Wales, with over three quarters of these cases occurring in 15 to 44-year-olds, and affecting three times more men than women.

As many as nine out of ten babies infected at birth develop long-lasting infection, leaving them at risk of developing serious liver disease later on in their adult life.

''It makes sense to immunise all children against hepatitis B,'' says Dr Sam Everington, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association. ''The vaccine is extremely safe and millions of babies around the world have been immunised and protected against a major cause of cancer.

''Hepatitis B-related illnesses costs the NHS millions of pounds every year and causes untold suffering to patients - an immunisation programme will not only save lives but be more cost effective than treating liver disease and cancer caused by Hepatitis B.''

Dr Edmund Ong, head of infectious diseases at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, is strongly in favour of the move.

"It is long overdue, we are lagging behind most of the developed world. It is particularly important to protect children from Hepatitis B. While most adults can get rid of the virus themselves it is much more difficult for children."

The Department of Health says that the UK's hepatitis B immunisation programme is under ongoing review and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is considering whether the current hepatitis B immunisation programme might need to be strengthened or expanded in future.

WHAT IS THE HEPATITIS B VIRUS?

l HBV is a virus that infects the liver, and in most cases HBV infection can only be identified by a simple blood test.

l Most adults infected with HBV recover fully from the infection following early treatment, but around one in ten become carriers of the virus and may continue to infect others.

l About one in five of these carriers go on to develop serious liver disease later in life.

l Without vaccination, many babies born to mothers who are HBV carriers will become infected. Once infected, they can pass on infection to their close family and other contacts.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

l A short, mild, flu-like illness

l Nausea and vomiting

l Diarrhoea

l Loss of appetite

l Weight loss

l Jaundice, yellow skin and whites of eyes, and darker yellow urine and pale faeces.

l Itchy skin.

HOW IS HBV SPREAD?

HBV is transmitted by contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person in the same way as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It can be transferred from an infected mother to her baby, mainly during delivery and from child to child through open wounds or saliva as a result of biting and sharing toys

UNIVERSAL VACCINATION

As treatment options for infected patients are limited, the BMA says that vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infection.

They state that the vaccine is safe and millions of doses have been given to babies worldwide without serious side effects.

l Babies born to mothers who are known carriers should have the first dose of vaccine immediately after they are born, according to the BMA, which the doctor or midwife will arrange at the time.

They will also need further doses of the vaccine for full protection against infection.

l Under a universal immunisation policy, all other babies should complete a course of vaccine during the first year of life, and it is essential that babies receive the full course of vaccine at the right times for it to work.

l When the universal HBV vaccination is introduced in childhood, there will also need to be a 'catch-up' initiative among older children.

* In some babies the site of the injection may become red and swollen, but this does not last for long.

l Parents who want their child vaccinated should speak to their GP or healthcare practitioner.