Public health issues Hep B risk warning

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Tools used in procedures such as callus scraping and cutting toenails could become contaminated with the virus and remain contaminated because of the sterilization practices followed.

Public health authorities have identified a local foot care clinic as a potential source of hepatitis B and are warning patients – other than orthotics patients – to consult a doctor about getting tested for this disease.

Grey Bruce Health Unit issued a public advisory Tuesday about the detection of hepatitis B in a patient who was cut while undergoing a procedure in Owen Sound at Arsenault Foot Services, 945 3rd Ave. E., Unit 4C. The clinic has voluntarily suspended services, the health unit said in a news release.

While the risk to other patients is “low,” all patients, other than orthotics patients who are not deemed to be at risk, who attended this clinic between May 25 and June 8, should consult a healthcare provider about getting tested, the advisory said.

Also patients who attended a satellite chiropody clinic run by Arsenault in Sauble Beach, at 672 Main St., or who received in-home care by that provider, should also seek medical advice, the advisory said.

Public Health manager Bob Hart said in an interview that the clinic was investigated after the patient got tested for hepatitis B. When the test was positive, the health unit was automatically notified and began an investigation.

After interviewing the patient and canvassing possible risk factors which could have led to contracting the disease, the patient reported being cut while undergoing a procedure at the clinic. That prompted an inspection of the Owen Sound clinic on Aug. 2 by health unit staff.

It’s not known where the patient contracted hepatitis B but public health investigation revealed sterilization practices, while being undertaken at the clinics, were not following best practices as set out by the Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee.

“As a result, there is a low risk that some patients may have been exposed to hepatitis B virus,” the health unit advisory said.