Oklahoma health officials now say 73 patients of Tulsa oral surgeon W. Scott Harrington, DMD, have tested positive for hepatitis C.
Eight rounds of testing have identified three new cases of hepatitis C, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. In addition, five people have tested positive for hepatitis B and three have tested positive for HIV infections so far.
Patients whose tests are positive are being personally contacted and counseled about information specific to the disease, and they will be directed to resources for appropriate care and follow-up. If warranted, testing will be recommended for a spouse or partner.
The Oklahoma Board of Dentistry launched an investigation of Dr. Harrington on March 15 after being notified that health officials were looking into a complaint about potential hepatitis C contamination at his practice. On March 28, public health officials began notifying 7,000 of Dr. Harrington's patients that they may have been exposed to blood-borne viruses at his Tulsa and Owasso offices and should be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
To date, 3,927 people have visited county health departments throughout Oklahoma to have their blood tested. An unknown number have sought testing through their private healthcare provider. The state lab has tested for 4,018 people so far. The difference is due to the lab also testing people from other states, private physicians, and local county health departments.
