Apr 6, 2:18 PM EDT


VA patient tests positive for HIV after mistakes




CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) -- The Veterans Affairs department says a patient has tested positive for HIV after being exposed to contaminated equipment at a medical facility.

The VA reported previously that hepatitis has been found in 16 patients. But the agency says there is no way to prove the patients contracted the illnesses because of treatment at their facilities.

More than 10,000 veterans have been warned to get blood tests because they could have been exposed to contamination at facilities Tennessee, Georgia and Miami. All three sites failed to properly sterilize endoscopic equipment between treatments. The VA has said patients could have been exposed to body fluids from a previous patient.

The VA on Monday did not return telephone calls and e-mails about the positive HIV test.


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End of Associated Press Release