Public Health Alert: Needle Safety Concerns at Burlington Clinic

Public health officials in Halton Region have issued a warning regarding potential exposure to serious infections, including hepatitis C and HIV, for patients who visited the Halton Family Centre Walk-in Clinic in Burlington. Concerns arose after an investigation revealed that unsterile needles may have been reused at the clinic for a period of six years.

The Halton Region Public Health (HRPH) announced the findings on Wednesday, detailing an “infection prevention and control lapse” at the clinic located at 2951 Walkers Line. The investigation indicated that unsterile needles were used with a multidose vial of freezing anesthesia, a practice that could pose significant health risks.

Health officials believe this issue may have persisted from January 1, 2019 to July 17, 2025. “This practice may pose a risk of cross-contamination and transmission of infections,” HRPH stated. It is important to note that this lapse was confined to the walk-in clinic and did not affect procedures or care provided by family physicians located in the same facility.

In response to the findings, the Halton Family Health Centre Walk-in Clinic has taken immediate corrective actions to rectify the situation. HRPH continues to monitor the clinic to ensure compliance with health regulations and to protect patient safety.

While the risk of infection is currently assessed as low, HRPH recommends that patients who underwent any procedure requiring freezing anesthesia during the specified timeframe consult with their healthcare providers. Procedures that may necessitate local anesthesia include stitches for cuts, IUD insertions, skin biopsies, the removal of lumps, and joint injections.

Dr. Deepika Lobo, the medical officer of health for Halton Region, emphasized the importance of public safety in her statement. “Protecting the health and safety of the public and patients is a top priority. Our Public Health team continues to actively monitor the situation and ensure compliance is maintained,” she noted.

As of now, it remains unclear how many patients might have been affected by this lapse in protocol. HRPH is committed to providing support and information to those impacted, ensuring they have access to necessary precautionary testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. The situation highlights the critical need for stringent health practices in medical settings to safeguard patient well-being.