U.S.A: more than 2000 veterans might be infected with dangerous viruses, medical officials say

Photo: U.S.A: more than 2000 veterans might be infected with dangerous viruses, medical officials say

The Department of Veterans Affairs sent letters dated May 8 to 2,075 men who had the biopsies between 1989 and 2003 at the Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The letter cautions that equipment may not have been properly sterilized and encourages the veterans to return to the center for a free blood screening.

The risk was described as "very small," and officials said they have "no evidence that any patient who had a prostate biopsy ... has acquired an infection."

Houterman said 304 men have gotten blood tests so far and none turned up positive for hepatitis C, hepatitis B or HIV, the three viruses being screened, the AP reports.

Zablocki is among 21 veterans medical centers in the United States where potential sterilization problems were found with prostate biopsy equipment. It upgraded its equipment in 2003 and no longer is using the device in question.