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Doc suspected in hepatitis C cases; testing urged for 4,500

Story Highlights

• NY anesthesiologist at center of hepatitis C investigation
• 3 cases reported; 4,500 people urged to get tested
• Infected patients got the virus through an intravenous tube
From CNN's Vidya Singh
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NEW YORK (CNN) -- -- Letters are on the way to 4,500 patients of an anesthesiologist who is suspected of infecting three people with hepatitis C last August, the New York City Health Department says.

The letters went to all people treated by the unnamed anesthesiologist between December 1, 2003, and May 1 of this year.

"There were 10 outpatient settings, all in Manhattan" where patients could have contracted the virus, said Health Department spokesperson Andrew Tucker. "We're not sure about the procedures the patients were having. They were of a wide variety."

Liver-damaging hepatitis C is a virus contracted through blood-to-blood contact with an infected person, and it often does not cause symptoms early on. It is not yet known whether the unidentified anesthesiologist is infected. The infected patients contracted the virus through an intravenous tube.

Health Department officials are asking the patients to be tested by their health care providers. However, "if people are not able to get tested, we will work with them" to do so, said Tucker.

Health department officials announced Thursday that they began their investigation in March, when the first case was brought to their attention. Medical professionals are required to notify the Health Department when a patient tests positive for hepatitis C.

The state health department will be dealing with disciplinary action regarding the anesthesiologist, but no department officials could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

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