Blood test possibly infected dozens in Amsterdam with HIV, hepatitis

A mistake with blood test equipment at the municipal health service GGD Amsterdam means that about 60 people who had their blood sugar levels tested at the GGD in Amsterdam city center may have been infected with HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. This involves people who went for glucose tests between January 19th and March 16th, RTL Nieuws reports.

The GGD purchased the wrong device. Instead of getting a little machine able to test multiple people, this machine was designed for individual use. The device pricks the patient's finger, collects blood and analyzes it. The GGD stresses that the needle was replaced after each use. But it is possible that blood remained on the machine itself, which makes contamination possible. "It is a very small chance", GGD spokesperson Martin Hommenga stressed, but the chance exists.

The health service regrets the error. All affected people have been informed. They will receive a blood test to see whether they were infected with any serious blood-borne diseases.

The Healthcare Inspectorate also launched an investigation.