October 11, 2002
Dear Sir/Madam:
This letter is addressed to individuals who received care from Dr. Tahir Javed at his medical oncology clinic
between March 1, 2000, and December 31, 2001. Public health officials at the Nebraska Health and Human
Services System (NHHSS) have recently identified several people in the Fremont area with hepatitis C virus
(HCV). Investigation of this problem, including the specific method of HCV transmission is on-going. Based
on current information, all of the affected persons appear to have been cared for in the office of Dr. Tahir Javed.
Hepatitis C virus causes an infection of the liver. The infection is treatable in most cases. In most people this
infection causes no symptoms. Eventually some people experience symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite
and a yellowing of the skin. While some people clear the virus from the body and are no longer infected, others
remain infected for an extended period of time. Transmission through routine household exposure is extremely
rare. It is important that individuals who have contracted this virus be identified.
Laboratory tests can identify both previously and currently infected patients. Based on information from this
on-going investigation, the risk for transmission among patients at Dr. Javed’s clinic appears confined to those
who received care between March 1, 2000, and December 31, 2001. We recommend that persons cared for at
the clinic during this time period be tested for HCV. Standard public health practice calls for including tests for
hepatitis B and HIV under these circumstances.
The Fremont Area Medical Center (FAMC), working in conjunction with the NHHSS, has established a testing
clinic. The FAMC clinic will be located at 410 E. 22nd Street in Fremont (the building previously occupied by
Drs. Anderson, Beacom, McKnight, Ottun and Sellon). Blood draws in the clinic will be offered from Thursday,
October 17 through Friday, November 1, 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The blood test performed at the FAMC
clinic will be free of charge. You will be notified of test results within 14 days after your blood draw. Please
call 402-941-7020 (this is a local call in Fremont) to schedule your blood draw. We have shared this
information with the medical community serving the Fremont area. Your primary care physician is prepared to
answer questions and to provide patient care and referral services when indicated for those seeking such
assistance.
Included with this letter is a fact sheet about HCV. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control has a website
(http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/index.htm) which is an excellent source for additional
information about HCV. Hospital and medical staff in the Fremont community are working closely with public
health experts to provide the highest level of care for persons affected by this situation. Beginning Monday,
October 14, nursing staff from the NHHSS and the Fremont Area Medical Center will be available by telephone
at 402-941-7020 from 9 AM to 5:00 PM to address additional questions you might have regarding this situation.
Your participation in this screening will help us clarify this situation and assure that all patients receive the best
medical advice and treatment. Thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Safranek, M.D
State Epidemiologist
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services