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SGH hep C outbreak: 2 infected patients part of affected cluster

SINGAPORE — The two Singapore General Hospital (SGH) patients who had earlier tested positive for hepatitis C have been found to be part of the affected cluster, bringing the total number of patients infected in the hospital’s hepatitis C outbreak to 25.

Singapore General Hospital. TODAY file photo

Singapore General Hospital. TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — The two Singapore General Hospital (SGH) patients who had earlier tested positive for hepatitis C have been found to be part of the affected cluster, bringing the total number of patients infected in the hospital’s hepatitis C outbreak earlier this year to 25.

“Phylogenetic studies done for the two patients who were tested positive as announced on 23 October showed that they are part of the affected cluster,” said SGH’s Chairman of the Medical Board Fong Kok Yong in a statement issued by the hospital today (Oct 26).

The patients were admitted to Wards 64A and 67 from April to June 2015.  “We will provide the patients and their family with our full support and ensure that the patients receive timely and appropriate care,” said Prof Fong.

Of the 601 patients screened, 586 have tested negative and three others — the two announced on Oct 23 and one announced on Oct 21 — tested positive. They have all been informed of their results. Twelve results are pending.

A total of 309 staff have been screened, and they all tested negative.

The first case from the outbreak was detected on April 17, and news of the incident was made public on Oct 6.

The hepatitis C virus has an incubation period of between two weeks and six months.

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