New Hampshire DHHS calling patients for hepatitis C tests

CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire health officials are calling thousands of people who may have been exposed to hepatitis C by a hospital technician now facing criminal charges.

David Kwiatkowski is accused of stealing drugs from Exeter Hospital's cardiac catheterization lab and infecting 30 patients with contaminated syringes. Officials originally asked only patients of the cardiac lab to get tested, but later expanded the request to roughly 3,300 people who had surgery or were admitted to the intensive care unit during his employment.

In addition to sending letters, the state on Monday will begin calling patients to tell them about testing clinics that will be held in Stratham, Plaistow, Rochester and Manchester. Patients also can go to two Portsmouth Hospital satellite offices or to Exeter Hospital.