Dr. Lamont Sweet, Chief Health Officer for the Department of Health, wishes to advise the public that a repeat blood test has indicated that Dr. David Ashby, a general surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, has tested positive for Hepatitis C.
Dr. Ashby is currently well with no symptoms of the illness and the positive test was found in association with a recent physical examination.
Dr. Sweet said, “The chance of acquiring the hepatitis virus during past surgical procedures is very small. Hepatitis C is a virus which can cause hepatitis and often results in no symptoms of illness. There are a number of ways the disease can be transmitted. Basically a person’s infected blood must come in contact with another person’s blood. Even if this were to happen, the probability of hepatitis C virus transmission remains extremely small.”
During surgical procedures, Hepatitis C virus can be spread from the surgeon to the patient if the surgeon sustains an injury (cut) during the procedure. The potential for Hepatitis C transmission during surgery exists for some procedures and not others. Patients who have undergone these procedures in which there is a potential for Hepatitis C transmission are being identified and will receive a notification letter. Although their risk of acquiring Hepatitis C virus during surgery is very small, these patients are being notified as a precautionary measure. The letter from the Department of Health will invite people to present for a blood test for Hepatitis C virus at screening clinics.
Patients are advised not to go to their local Emergency Department for screening as the Emergency Department is best suited to more urgent medical needs.
Dr. Sweet said, “If anyone who has undergone surgical procedures with Dr. Ashby has questions and concerns, they should call our new toll-free Hepatitis information line that has been established at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.”
The toll-free number is 1-877-320-9090 and for those calling in the Charlottetown area, the number is 894-0231. The information line will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, messages can be left and calls will be returned as soon as possible.
Dr. Sweet added, “I thank Dr. Ashby for taking every possible measure to ensure the safety of his patients. He is working closely with us to manage this situation. This is obviously a very challenging time for him and we commend his professionalism and dedication to his patients.”