UPEI lab exercise may have put students at risk of contracting HIV

Published on June 26, 2012
Jim Day 

Close to 300 people who attended UPEI over the past three years have been notified they may have contracted HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C.

The risk, however, is considered extremely low that the use of blood sampler devices may possibly have resulted in the transmission of blood among those who had their blood glucose levels tested during lab classes.

The university has identified that a possible health risk may have occurred in sections of Biology 122 or 122X (human physiology) delivered in the Faculty of Science in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Christian Lacroix, dean of science at UPEI, told The Guardian Tuesday that 295 students and eight student assistants/instructors have been identified as participants in this class. Approximately half of these students may have participated in blood glucose testing.

Dr. Heather Morrison, the province’s chief public health officer, says the risk of transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C is extremely unlikely in this situation.

— Website www.upei.ca/moreinfo  is available and referenced in the letters to students. The website offers links to additional resources, and responses to some frequently asked questions.

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2012-06-26/article-3017769/UPEI-lab-exercise-may-have-put-students-at-risk-of-contracting-HIV/1