Hepatitis C transmission due to contamination of multidose medication vials: summary of an outbreak and a call to action.
In May 2001, The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene was informed of a cluster of 4 patients treated at an outpatient gastroenterology center who developed acute hepatitis C virus infection. An investigation identified a total of 12 clinic-associated hepatitis C virus transmissions and the outbreak and was traced to unsafe handling of multidose anesthetic vials and possible re-use of contaminated needles. This report typifies the types of outbreaks that continue to occur despite safe injection guidelines.
Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control/Hospital Epidemiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA. wbranche@bidmc.harvard.edu
Westyn
W
Branch-Elliman
Don
D
Weiss
Sharon
S
Balter
Katherine
K
Bornschlegel
Michael
M
Phillips
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004340:Drug Contamination; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology