More lab results come in on Scott Harrington’s patients, eight additional hepatitis C cases detected
In a follow up to the laboratory testing performed on patients of Tulsa dentist, W. Scott Harrington, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and Tulsa Health Department (THD) have received a second round of results.
Image/CDC
According to health officials, eight new cases of hepatitis C have been identified since the last update,bringing the total to 65 individuals who have tested positive for hepatitis C. There are no new positive cases to report for hepatitis B or HIV.
To date, of the 7,000 patients who received letters recommending testing for these bllod borne pathogens, the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory has completed half that number.
Although nearly 70 former patients of Harrington have tested positive for one of the blood borne pathogens; hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV, health officials acknowledge that some of the positive screening tests are likely a result of infection exposure not related to dental procedures at the Harrington practice.
Last week, Tulsa health officials identified more than 60 individuals who tested positive in the first round of testing, which revealed 57 testing positive for hepatitis C, and 3 individuals who tested positive for hepatitis B and one or two people testing positive for HIV.
Last month the Tulsa Health Department sent letters to 7,000 former patients of Scott Harrington to offer free lab testing after a surprise inspection of Harrington’s office showed multiple health violations including sterilzation issues.
Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States and is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality. Hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver that can lead to chronic health issues. Many of the approximately three to four million persons living with hepatitis C in the U.S. are unaware they are infected and do not receive care or treatment. Hepatitis B, a contagious liver disease, is spread when blood, semen or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person not infected.
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