There has been no evidence of Hepatitis C transmission following screening measures taken after a local surgeon was found to have contracted the virus, Dr. Lamont Sweet, Deputy Chief Health Officer, confirmed today.
“We screened 92 percent of Dr. Ashby’s patients who had surgery over the past three years and had been advised to be tested. This is a high response rate and included 229 people in and out of the province,” says Dr. Sweet.
None of the patients tested had the virus which matched Dr. David Ashby’s acquired strain of the virus. Two of his patients did test positive for Hepatitis C but neither matched the strain acquired by Dr. Ashby.
“I thank the staff who carried out this screening program and thank patients who cooperated with the process. We are also grateful for the assistance and guidance of the Public Health Agency of Canada in this effort,” said Dr. Sweet.
Dr. Ashby is being treated with an antiviral medication and is responding very well. At the present time he is not doing any medical practice.
“We extend our best wishes to Dr. Ashby for his health and future endeavours. He is to be commended for his open approach to dealing with his personal illness in relation to his professional practice and patient safety,” said Dr. Sweet.