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Utah hospital warns thousands of patients of possible HCV exposure
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McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah, issued letters to nearly 4,800 patients who may have been exposed to hepatitis C virus during treatment in its ED, according to the Utah Department of Health.
An investigation was recently launched after officials were notified of a hospital staff member who possibly transmitted HCV genotype 2b infection to a patient.
Some patients treated with certain medications at the hospital’s ED between June 17, 2013 and November 25, 2014 may be at risk for exposure, although the transmission risk appears to be low, according to the health department. The hospital will offer free blood tests to potentially exposed individuals.
“We believe that most of the patients who were potentially exposed will not contract hepatitis C,” the release said. “But it is important that they are tested as the consequences of contracting hepatitis C are significant. Some people with hepatitis C have no symptoms and are not aware that they have the illness, but it is very important to know if you have this condition, which is curable with good outcomes.”
Local and state health officials are working with McKay-Dee Hospital and the CDC to ensure that all people at risk for exposure undergo testing and receive appropriate medical care. Investigators are interviewing the patient who contracted HCV to determine the potential source of infection and to identify other potentially infected individuals so they can receive treatment if appropriate.