Hepatitis C healthcare worker worked in Mayo General

Hepatitis C surgeon worked in Mayo General


Anton McNulty

Patients across Mayo have been asked to attend precautionary Hepatitis C screening as a result of a diagnosis of Hepatitis C in a surgeon who worked in Mayo General Hospital.
The surgeon concerned was involved in a number of surgical procedures at Galway University Hospitals, Letterkenny General Hospital and Mayo General Hospital between 2004 and 2008. The Public Health Department of the HSE West is implementing a process to follow up on 457 patients who were operated on during that time and have been identified as requiring screening.
While the risk to patients is considered to be very low, letters are being posted to the patients affected and a single blood test is being offered to these patients to rule out infection.
Dr Breda Smyth, Public Health Specialist said that while the risk of transmission was remote it was best practice to screen patients to reassure them of their own safety.
“International research indicates that the risk of transmission from a healthcare worker to a patient is very remote. Nonetheless as a precaution, national guidelines recommend follow-up of such patients. The management of the three hospitals have been working closely on this review with the Department of Public Health in HSE West and with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. We intend to complete the review in a very short timeframe and are very confident that any risk to patients is very low indeed,” she said.
Patients affected will receive their letters this week including details of a dedicated helpline based at the hospitals concerned where they can receive further information. The HSE Infoline is also available on 1850 24 1850 from 8am – 8pm on Friday, May 21 and from 9.30am until 5pm on Saturday.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a virus that can affect the liver. Healthcare workers may become infected from infected patients in the course of their work. In the past in Ireland people have also become infected with the hepatitis C virus through infected blood or blood products, and through sharing needles among injecting drug users.