At least 1,000 patients were injected with a local anesthetic from a multidose vial that may have been contaminated by unsterile needles at a Burlington, Ont., walk-in clinic between 2019 and 2025, Halton Region Public Health (HRPH) says.
HRPH issued a public notice on Wednesday about an “infection prevention and control lapse” at Halton Family Centre Walk-in Clinic located at 2951 Walkers Line.
In the notice, HRPH said its investigation found the clinic used an unsterile needle with a multidose vial of freezing anesthesia and determined it was likely not an isolated incident. Health officials noted the practice might have occurred between Jan. 1, 2019 and July 17, 2025.
In an email to CP24 on Thursday, Isabel Contin, a communications specialist with Halton Region, said the investigation into the clinic was initiated following a complaint, but no further details were provided.
“In accordance with provincial standards, all infection prevention and control lapses are initiated through the assessment of a complaint or referral or through communicable disease surveillance data,” she said.
Based on partial data, public health estimates approximately 1,000 patients received anesthesia by injection at the clinic, Contin said. HRPH noted those patients may have been exposed to blood-borne infections, including hepatitis B and C and HIV.
“While the overall risk is considered low, we recommend that anyone who received local anesthetic (freezing) by injection at the clinic and is concerned, speak with their healthcare provider and consider testing as a precaution,” she added.
HRPH said the walk-in clinic has since taken immediate corrective measures to ensure all infection control measures are being met.
