Beginning next week, the PEI Department of Health and Social Services plans to start sending letters to residents of PEI who are known to have received a blood transfusion between January 1, 1984, and June 1, 1990.
These letters will inform the person that they are at risk of having hepatitis C, and suggest that they see their family doctor to discuss their need to be tested. The letter includes information about Hepatitis C and includes a toll-free number for them to call if they have questions.
Up to 3,000 Island residents will receive notification letters.
Chief Health Officer Dr. Lamont Sweet is advising everyone who received blood before June 1, 1990 to consider being tested because the test for screening donor blood was not available until that time. However, because blood transfusion records are usually not available for the period before 1984, it is unlikely that it will be possible to send letters to those who received blood transfusions before 1984.
Dr. Sweet advised that although much care has been taken in compiling the list of those who received blood during that period of time, it is not certain that the list is completely accurate. Therefore, he said it cannot be guaranteed that everyone who received blood during that period of time will get a letter. It is also possible that a very small number of people who receive a letter may have not received blood.
Additionally, because a person's address may not have been updated since their last move, it may be impossible to deliver some letters.
The Department of Health and Social Services apologizes in advance for having any incorrect information which may result in distress for any person who receives a letter.
Dr. Sweet noted that the notification list does not include those Islanders who received blood in other hospitals outside of PEI that have not provided the Department with a list. For example, no list has been received as yet from the IWK or Grace Hospitals in Halifax or from any hospitals in New Brunswick.
Letters to all those who are presently identified as having received blood should be sent by June, 1998.