More Victims in Exeter Hep C Outbreak

The state Department of Health and Human Services announced this afternoon that six more patients have been diagnosed with hepatitis C in an outbreak at the hospital. It brings the total number of victims to 27.

State health officials have said the outbreak was likely caused by a who had hepatitis C and passed the disease on to unsuspecting patients through dirty needles. The FBI is the matter. No arrests have been announced yet.

DHHS said today continues to send samples to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further testing. Additional results are expected from the CDC over the next several weeks. In addition to the 27 cases related to the outbreak, the agency said another 12 people have been identified with hepatitis C that does not match the outbreak strain.

"This  is still very much an ongoing investigation,” said Dr. José Montero, director  of  public  health  at  DHHS, in a statment. “These results do not require us to change  the  timeline  for  testing from October 1, 2010, so we are hopeful that  testing  is  nearing  completion.

"We will continue to keep the public updated  as  new  results  and  information  are  learned. We realize this situation is causing great concern to the public and we continue to work as quickly, but as carefully, as possible to conclude this investigation."

Exeter Hospital released the following statement in response to the news:

We are concerned for the patients and their families. Our primary focus remains on identifying all patients who may have been affected as quickly as possible so we can help them begin their treatment. We are continuing to do everything we can to ensure all patients who have tested positive have access to appropriate treatment, with no barriers to their care.

We are also nearing the completion of testing with less than 100 identified patients remaining to be tested. We remain focused on completing the testing process as quickly as possible and we are actively reaching out to work with each identified patient who requires testing.

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