Vic: Police investigate doctor over Hep C outbreak

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2010
Vic: Police investigate doctor over Hep C outbreak

MELBOURNE, April 9 AAP - Police are investigating a Melbourne doctor who allegedly
infected 12 of his patients with hepatitis C at a private suburban clinic.

Health department investigators were reportedly alerted to a cluster of hepatitis C
cases among patients, including pregnant women, and tests confirmed the 12 women's hepatitis
C strain was a match to the anaesthetist's own blood.

"We can confirm police are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis C in a suburban healthcare
clinic," a police spokesman told AAP.

The infections allegedly date back to 2009.

A team of police investigators has been established to probe the matter.

A spokeswoman for the state's Medical Practitioner's Board would not confirm the allegations,
but said the board would hold a press conference later on Friday.

Comment was being sought from the Department of Human Services.

AAP ees/ce/goc/mn

KEYWORD: DOCTOR

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