Abortion Doctor Contracted Hepatitis C, Infected 54 Patients
An Australian court heard testimony indicating that a former abortion doctor knew he had Hepatitis C before infecting at least 54 of his patients.
James Latham Peters, a former anesthesiologist at Croydon Day Surgery, is facing charges for allegedly infecting his female patients with the virus while terminating their unwanted pregnancies.
The surgical facility was under investigation during 2010, after multiple women came forward confirming they had somehow contracted the virus.
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Peters immediately had his medical license revoked, while the investigation was carried out.
Law officials believe that Peters, 62, was sharing needles with his patients during 2008 and 2009 without their knowledge.
His former doctor, Dr. Ronald Suss, testified at a recent hearing in Melbourne Magistrate's court, and said he had delivered Peters his positive test results in 1997.
It is believed that 4,000 of Peters' patients were tested over 15 months, with 54 testing positive.
According to the Heraldsun.com.au, Peters' faces 54 counts of reckless endangerment, negligence and causing serious harm.
The horrifying ordeal completely shattered the local community, with sources suggesting more people have become weary of their local physicians.
One of the victims spoke directly with the newspaper, but wanted to remain nameless.
“It’s been a slow process, a long time waiting...My world has been turned upside down,” said the victim.
Hepatitis C is a virus that creates swelling in the liver and can cause cancer.
Although it can be treated with proper medication, there is no cure.
"I am going to therapy because I really don’t know how I feel about it all. It’s impacted on me in a lot of ways,” the victim added.
Reports show that Peters' wife also carried the virus and she has since died.
