ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A local hepatitis researcher is applauding the Centers for Disease Control for coming up with new recommendations on who should be screened for the disease.

Dr. Bruce Bacon is the director of Saint Louis University’s division of gastroenterology and hepatology. He says the CDC is now calling for a one-time voluntary blood test for all baby boomers, anyone born between 1945 and 1965.

“Because it’s been shown that’s the reservoir of most of the patients, 75% of the patients, that have hepatitis B are born in that age range,” Bacon said.

Dr. Bacon says hepatitis C currently has a 70% cure rate, and in a few years it should be up to 90%. He says it only makes sense to identify as many patients as possible for treatment.