Hepatitis C outbreak traced to Brandon clinic

BRANDON - Health officials say eight patients who visited a Brandon clinic have tested positive for hepatitis C, a potentially deadly virus.

The Wellness Works Clinic says they contacted the Health Department back in November after two of their patients complained of a sickness.

Officials say all eight patients visited the holistic clinic for a blood treatment called chelation.

"There would have to be a significant, significant breakdown in some sort of technique that would have caused this," said Dr. Joette Giovinco, FOX 13's medical reporter.

Giovinco said hepatitis C outbreaks are uncommon. So far, officials haven't specified exactly how the virus was spread, but do admit the nurse was at fault. Officials say one of the eight patients likely already had hepatitis C, and unknowingly became the source of the outbreak.

"This is a very rare event. This just doesn't happen normally. Something happened to break down the process," Giovinco said. "Every single facility, I don't care how small, they have to go through bloodborne pathogen training if they are doing procedures, as this particular clinic was doing. It's mandatory."

No one from the clinic wanted to talk on camera, but they did release the following statement:

"Wellness Works has been operating in the community for the past 16 years without incident. We are very proud of our reputation and the loyalty of our patients. As soon as Wellness Works was aware of a problem the Health Department was notified. Since that time we have cooperated fully with their investigation. We have reviewed our policies and procedures extensively and have made changes within our practice including hiring new personnel. Our office has been inspected on various occasions by the Health Department and been found in compliance. We deeply regret any harm that may have come to our patients."

The Health Department says the investigation is ongoing. There is a possibility more people could contract the virus. The Health Department says hepatitis C can have an incubation period of months, and that people who initially tested negative could still test positive for the virus.