Eight people contracted hepatitis C in Brooklyn
(New York) (WCBS)
New York City health officials say eight people were
diagnosed with the highly contagious hepatitis C -- but
officials say it's unlikely that the liver disease will spread
to the general population.
Cohen said it still unclear how the hepatitis spread, but
the outbreak appears to be related to the methods in which in
this endoscopic procedures were carried out at the Bay
Ridge Endoscopy and Digestive Health Center.
Each of the eight people with hepatitis had the procedure
at the clinic in late March.
The health department is trying to contact 2200 people who
were patients at the clinic dating back to January 2000 for
blood tests.
The city and state health departments are investigating the
outbreak, and a physician at the Bay Ridge clinic has stopped
performing endoscopies, which is the procedure in which the
lining of the stomach or bowel is examined with a flexible
lighted instrument.
Such procedures are part of the routine screening for colon
cancer.
Blood samples of the infected patients have been forwarded
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to trace the
source of the outbreak.
Hepatitis is the disorder that causes inflammation of the
liver and can lead to chronic liver disease.
The form of hepatitis the city is concerned about today was
first identified in 1987.
A frightening aspect about the strains that many people
infected with hepatitis C don't know they have it.
Hepatitis C is responsible for anywhere from 150,000
250,000 new infections each year.
Someone who's infected with hepatitis may feel like they
have the flu, but a flu that doesn't go away. Doctors warned,
however, that eighty percent of people infected with hepatitis
C have no signs her symptoms.
The disease is transmitted through blood transfusion,
receiving tainted blood products, sharing needles with
infected IV users. It can also be spread by exchanging body
fluids through sex.
Hepatitis C is not airborne and not spread by: kissing,
holding hands, using the same bathroom as someone who's
infected or by eating food prepared by someone who's infected.
While anybody is at risk for contracting the disease, there
are some groups who are more ay risk than others for
contracted illness. They are hemophiliacs and IV drug users
and health-care/lab workers who can come into contact with
infected needle are instrument.
The city health departments set up a special telephone
hotline for people who visited the clinic since Jan. 2000. The
number is 212 -- 78 -- 2222.
Clinic sued over hepatitis outbreak
Woman contracted hepatitis C after undergoing
gastrointestinal exams
Kindergarten teachers suing for alleged malpractice
At least eight other patients at Bay Ridge clinic also
contracted illness
(New York) (AP)
A woman contracted hepatitis C after undergoing
gastrointestinal exams in the Brooklyn clinic is suing for
alleged malpractice.
Deborah Postler and her husband, Stephan, filed suit in
this state Supreme Court in Brooklyn Monday, alleging the
operators of the Bay Ridge Endoscopy and Digestive Health
Center were negligent in their treatment.
Deborah Postler, a kindergarten teacher, was diagnosed with
hepatitis C in May after undergoing endoscopy and colonoscopy
at the clinic in March. Her husband, who also filed suit,
underwent a procedure at the clinic in early April and still
is being tested for disease, according to the couple's lawyer,
Guy Keith Vann.
Deborah Postler is being treated with several drugs, some
of which have caused her hair to fallout and have left her
week, with flu like symptoms.
The postlers are seeking unspecified damages for personal
and psychological injuries.
The story was first reported by the New York Post and the
Daily News.
Named in the class-action lawsuit are doctors Vincent
Rovito, Maria Castellano, and Marvin Chiumento. The clinic is
closed, and the doctors could not be reached for comment.
At least eight other patients of the clinic came down with
hepatitis C. City health officials said the flare up was
reported May 1st by the clinic's operators, we have cooperated
with an ongoing investigation.
Officials have notified other patients of the clinic that
they should get tested for hepatitis C, which can cause
long-term damage, including cirrhosis of the liver.
Note from Lloyd:
I have heard from other sources that at least 30 other
victims have been identified.
One is on the treatment that I document in Triumph Over
Hepatitis C.
He feels Great and his hair is not falling out.
There are numerous statistical errors in these articles.
BEWARE OF YOUR DOCTORS OFFICE!