18,000 Veterans Receiving Dental Care Have Been Exposed To Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C And HIV, Investigation Sought
Reports that at least 18,000 veterans from Missouri, Illinois and some other states may have been exposed to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV blood-borne pathogens at the John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis, have resulted in Congressman Russ Carnahan (MO-3) demanding a formal investigation. Carnahan has contacted the White House, the Veterans Administration, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to insist upon an immediate and full investigation of the matter.
Carnahan said:
This is absolutely unacceptable. No veteran who has served and risked their life for this great Nation should have to worry about their personal safety when receiving much needed healthcare services from a Veterans Administration hospital.
The Veterans Administration has begun mailing 1,812 veterans from surrounding states (1,271 from Missouri; 495 from Illinois) who underwent dental treatment at St. Louis VA Medical Center at the John Cochran Division between February 1, 2009 and March 11, 2010. In their correspondence they inform that they may be at risk of contracting hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Carnahan added:
I can only imagine the horror and anger our veterans must be feeling after receiving this letter. They have every right to be angry. So am I.
Carnahan has written to President Obama and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, insisting they immediately investigate this inexcusable breach of standard operating procedures and report back what will be done to remedy the issue and make sure this can never happen again. Carnahan also contacted House Veterans Committee Chairman Bob Filner (CA-51) to quickly schedule a hearing to look into the matter.
Carnahan said:
Those responsible for this should be disciplined. It’s simply unacceptable.
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