69 dialysis patients infected with Hepatitis C in East China hospital

NANJING - Experts from health authorities are investigating a Hepatitis C infection case involving 69 dialysis patients in a hospital in Dongtai, East China's Jiangsu province, sources with the press office of the municipal government said Monday.

The inspection team composed of experts from China's National Health Commission said a blood purification center that is affiliated to the Dongtai People's Hospital was responsible for the contamination during hemodialysis treatment of patients.

An initial investigation indicated that lax management of the hospital was to blame for the infection.

Based on the investigation, the Party chief, the president and a vice president of the hospital were removed from their posts. A number of medical workers responsible for the infection have also been punished.

The patients are receiving special medical therapy from an expert team.

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by Hepatitis C virus (HCV) that primarily affects the liver. During the initial infection, people often have mild or no symptoms, but over many years, it often leads to liver disease and occasionally cirrhosis.