55 women at risk of Hep C being traced

New Zealand and Australian health authorities are tracing 55 New Zealand women who visited a private medical clinic in Australia between 1 January 2006 and 7 December 2009 who may be at risk of having contracted Hepatitis C.

Ministry of Health Deputy Director of Public Health Dr Fran McGrath says Australian authorities identified the link between a cluster of Hepatitis C cases and a private medical centre in the State of Victoria, Australia in April and are now investigating how this happened.

There is a police investigation in Victoria and media reports of legal action in Australia being planned.

"The Department of Health in Victoria, has taken responsibility for tracing, directly contacting and confidentially informing all 3,500 women concerned, including the 55 affected women giving a New Zealand address."

The Department began contacting the New Zealanders yesterday as they worked through the 3500 women being traced. Around 1000 Australian women have been contacted and 746 tested.

Of those tested 44 have been found to have hepatitis C, around half of whom have had their infection linked to the private medical centre.

Because of the difficulties involved in tracing the women, the Ministry of Health will be working more closely with its Victorian counterpart in helping trace the New Zealand women concerned.

New Zealand women who had procedures at the Croydon Day Surgery in Croydon, Victoria from 1 January 2006 to 7 December 2009 can call Healthline (0800 611 116) in New Zealand and be transferred free of charge to a confidential Australian hepatitis line for further information.

"This is a sensitive and potentially distressing situation and the Ministry of Health here and health authorities in Australia are being careful to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the women involved", Dr McGrath says.

Specialist staff in District Health Boards in New Zealand are on standby to offer blood testing, follow-up, support and treatment if necessary.

"Based on the results of women tested to date, approximately 5% of women treated at the clinic may have contracted Hepatitis C. Based on this information we estimate that up to 3 New Zealand women may test positive."

Any woman who has received treatment in a Melbourne private clinic in the four years from 2006 to 2009 should contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice.

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that causes inflammation of the liver and which can have serious complications.