Poor infection control practices reported at Australian clinic, thousands at risk for HIV and hepatitis

Thousands of patients visiting Dr William Tam’s clinic in Strathfield, western Sydney may be exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, the New South Wales state health ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Australian authorities have issued a warning for thousands of patients of a retired dentist, urging them to undergo tests for blood-borne diseases, due to “poor infection control practices” reported at the clinic. 

Reportedly, around 5000 patients visiting Dr William Tam’s clinic in Strathfield, western Sydney may be exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, the New South Wales state health ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

The ministry noted that the risk is low but suggests they take tests as a precautionary measure. The statement further read that Tam is now retired and de-registered as a dentist. 

"The poor infection control practices at Dr Tam's practice means all former patients may be at low risk of a blood borne virus infection, which can have serious and long-lasting health impacts," Dr Leena Gupta, the public health clinical director of the Sydney Local Health District, said, in the health ministry statement.

"People with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C may not have any symptoms for decades, so it is important that people at risk of these infections are tested, so that they can access treatment as appropriate."

Health authorities believe Tam saw thousands of patients in last 25 years, but there were no records available that could be used to contact them. 

According to a BBC report, Dr Zeina Najjar, a staff specialist in the Sydney Local Health District, told a press conference that Tam's clinic was audited in April, during which inspectors identified poor cleaning practices and inadequately sterilised equipment.