Over 650 Melbourne patients facing hepatitis B scare

UPDATE: SEVERAL mothers who had a caesarean section at a Melbourne hospital are among 650 patients caught up in a hepatitis B scare.

Health forum at the Hobart Menzies centre picture of Dr Roscoe Taylor

MORE than 650 Melbourne patients may have been exposed to potentially deadly hepatitis B by an infected healthcare worker over the last three years.

The Department of Health has launched an investigation into after the unnamed healthcare worker was recently diagnosed with hepatitis B.

Victoria’s acting chief health officer Dr Roscoe Taylor confirmed the Health Department was contacting 654 selected patients as a “precautionary” measure so they could be tested for the virus.

Several Melbourne mothers who had a caesarean section at a Melbourne hospital in the last three years told the Herald Sun they were awaiting blood test results after being warned they could have contracted the virus.

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One woman, who did not want to be named, said she had been crying and shaking ever since she received the health department letter.

“The only procedure I’ve ever had was an emergency C-section three years ago ... I know exactly which hospital it was,” she said.

“The Health Department wouldn’t give me any specific information about who it could have been, but told me to go straight away and get a blood test.

“Now I’m devastated, waiting for my results, I haven’t stopped crying and I can’t sleep.

Dr Taylor said that while there was a less than one per cent chance of infection, each of those potentially exposed were being cautioned to undertake a blood test to rule out hepatitis B.

“The heartening thing is that none of those patients have appeared on our notifiable database as having already had a hepatitis B infection in that time,” Dr Taylor said.

“The actual public health risk is likely to be low to very low.”

Dr Taylor said only patients who have been contacted directly by the Health Department need to take any action, with a team of specialists established to provide advice to those contacted.

Another woman who had a C-section at the hospital said she was told the chances of infection were “very low”.

“But that doesn’t make it any less distressing,” one said.

“This isn’t just concerning us now, it’s our partners and children too ... how are we expected to feel safe in the care of healthcare workers now?

“We need emotional support through this ordeal ... they’re not giving us anything right now since we received this terrifying letter out of the blue.”

People wanting information or support in relation to viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and hepatitis C) can contact Hepatitis Victoria’s Infoline on 1800 703 003

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