Holiday Ayo - A total of 2,500 women in Toronto, Canada, have been exposed to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis after undergoing medical procedures at a gynecology clinic, Dr. Esther Park.

Toronto Public Health has sent letters to approximately 2,500 patients, notifying them of potential exposure to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C due to infection control breaches at the clinic.

The issues relate to the cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of medical devices used in procedures such as cervical growth removal, uterine biopsies, and IUD insertion and removal between October 10, 2020 and October 10, 2024.

Dr. Herveen Sachdeva, associate medical officer of health at Toronto Public Health, said the risk of transmission is very low.

However, she recommends that affected individuals consult their health care providers for testing.

"Certain blood-borne infections, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C, can be transmitted through reuse of improperly cleaned equipment," Sachdeva said, as quoted by the Toronto Star.

Toronto Public Health spokesperson Chris Wai confirmed the agency learned of the issue after receiving a complaint in mid-September 2024, launching an investigation in accordance with Ontario's Public Health Standards and the Health Protection and Promotion Act. 

Wai said the Park clinic has corrected the infection control issues and is now in compliance with provincial best practices, adding that there have been no further infection control concerns since Oct. 10, 2024. 

“As of March 6, Toronto Public Health has not received any positive reports of hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV," he added.

Further investigation into the clinic is ongoing.