Transfusion-related hep C group ‘horrified’ at new case

A GROUP representing women infected with hepatitis C through contaminated blood product said they were horrified to learn a woman was diagnosed with the virus following a recent blood transfusion.

Chairperson of Positive Action, Detta Warnock, said the case of Eileen Kelly, from Killarney, Co Kerry, was extremely worrying given that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has screened all donors for hep C infection since the early 1990s.

Ms Kelly, 76, was diagnosed with hep C last year, four months after she received the last of three blood transfusions.