Has Hep C Already Claimed Victims' Lives?

State health officials are investigating if any of 121 patients possibly exposed to a hepatitis C outbreak at died of the disease.

The 121 patients recently passed away. They were part of a group of more than 1,000 patients identified for testing because they may have been exposed to the outbreak.

On Thursday, former Exeter Hospital worker David Kwiatkowski was and charged with starting the outbreak by spreading his hepatitis C when he allegedly stole patients' needles to get high and allowed the needles to be reused on them.

Dr. Jose Montero, New Hampshire's public health director, said Thursday that his department is investigating if any of the 121 patients died from hepatitis C they contracted during the outbreak.

That could result in more serious charges for Kwiatkowski, who's facing up to 24 years in prison.

"The events of the past several months have demonstrated that no healthcare organization can rest in its pursuit of the highest possible quality and safety for its patients," Exeter Hosptial said in a statement. "Even the best systems and nationally accepted protocols can be corrupted by actions driven by illegal intent."

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