Halton Region Public Health is warning thousands of patients who visited a west GTA walk-in clinic that they may have been exposed to blood-borne infections after discovering that unsterile needles were used over a span of more than six years.
The health unit says the lapse occurred at Halton Family Health Centre Walk-in Clinic, where proper infection control protocols were not followed when using multidose vials. The issue was reportedly happening “intermittently” from January 1, 2019, to July 17, 2025, raising concerns about possible cross-contamination.
The clinic reportedly used the affected needles to administer local anesthetics for procedures including stitches, IUD insertions, skin biopsies, lump removals, and joint injections.
Dr. Deepika Lobo, Halton Region’s medical officer of health, reassured the public that the risk of transmission is considered low but strongly urged anyone treated at the clinic during the affected period to get tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV as a precaution.