Medical worker in NH hepatitis outbreak was in Pa.

Former lab technician accused of spreading Hepatitis C

Suspect left contaminated needles to be used on others

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Health officials say a medical technician accused of infecting patients in New Hampshire with hepatitis C previously worked two temporary assignments in Pennsylvania.

The state Department of Health says David Kwiatkowski had assignments in Pennsylvania in 2008 and 2010.

Authorities in New Hampshire say Kwiatkowski injected himself with anesthetic drugs stolen from a lab at Exeter Hospital, contaminating syringes later used on patients. Thirty patients have been diagnosed with the strain of hepatitis C that Kwiatkowski carries.

Officials in Pennsylvania did not specify where Kwiatkowski worked during his temporary assignments. Health department spokeswoman Kait Gillis says they're trying to determine if those assignments constitute a public health risk.

Health officials in Michigan, Maryland, Kansas and New York say Kwiatkowski also worked in their states.