Silent injection: the number of people infected with hepatitis in an oncological dispensary in Kamchatka has tripled

The investigation of the criminal case on the infection of cancer dispensary patients in Kamchatka continues — after almost a year, the perpetrators have not been found. It's too early to put an end to the epidemiological investigation. Meanwhile, the number of infected patients has reached 167 people, the governor of the region said. One of the patients died. According to preliminary findings, the source of infection was in the CT scan room — after the incident, its work was suspended for only one month. The court found that the reason could be high-dose vials of saline and insufficient processing of instruments. The details of the case are in the Izvestia article.

How is the investigation going?

The number of patients infected with hepatitis B and C in an oncological dispensary in Kamchatka has increased to 167, the governor of the region, Vladimir Solodov, said on October 28 at an annual press conference with media representatives.

"As for the number of deceased patients, I have no information," he said. — It is very important here that we interpret it reliably. We understand that the majority, or at least a significant part, of the cancer dispensary's patients were treated for serious illnesses.

An epidemiological investigation into infection with viral hepatitis B and C in the Kamchatka Regional cancer dispensary began in January 2025. Initially, 49 infected people were reported, all of whom underwent CT scans with contrast. It is assumed that the source of infection was in the CT scan room. A criminal case on negligence has been opened on this fact.

"As for the main source and cause of the infection, the work of the investigative authorities continues here," he said. — All necessary assistance is provided. Investigations here don't always happen instantly. At the same time, the investigation of Rospotrebnadzor is being completed.

A year before the incident, 49 thousand people visited the Kamchatka cancer dispensary, Izvestia found out. The Regional Ministry of Health has compiled lists of patients who underwent CT and MRI scans at the cancer dispensary in 2023 and 2024, and they have been notified of the need to undergo hepatitis tests. The Government of Kamchatka has allocated 11 million rubles to medical organizations to carry out this diagnosis.

However, as Izvestia found out, some of the patients took tests at their own expense. Then one of them, Khayet Khalilov, told Izvestia that he had been suffering from cancer for several years and the diagnosis of hepatitis B sounded like a sentence to him.

— I was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. Since then, I've had a CT or MRI scan every year. I did these procedures every three months. And so in December 2024, I went to an oncologist, I was supposed to receive chemotherapy, but they refused to give it to me because of the destruction of the liver," he said. — I went and got tested for hepatitis and HIV. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis B. Because of this, I have not received chemotherapy since December. I started having pain, very severe, hellish, because the tumor is growing. She started pressing on my intestines, I have almost an obstruction. I can't eat, I throw up a lot.

In February 2025, the man died, Izvestia found out.

How did hepatitis infection occur?

After the mass infection, a criminal case was opened under the article on negligence against unidentified persons. Kamchatka's Minister of Health, Alexander Gashkov, was also removed from office. A few months later, in March 2025, he was appointed chief physician of the Rossiya Sanatorium in Yessentuki, which is part of the National Medical Research Center for Rehabilitation and Balneology of the Ministry of Health.

Back in December 2024, the CT scan room at the regional cancer dispensary was closed by court order, but for only 30 days. According to one version, the infection was caused by multi-dose vials of saline solution used to assess the patency of an intravenous catheter before and after contrast agent administration during CT.

The inspection revealed multiple violations in the oncological dispensary related to sterilization, the use of consumables and procedures, primarily during computed tomography.

In June 2025, the court received the first claim for compensation for moral damage in connection with harm to life and health against the cancer dispensary. In addition, on social media, a group of local human rights activists is looking for victims to file a class action.

According to the results of the investigation, the guilty medical workers may be prosecuted under several articles of the Criminal Code, depending on the specific circumstances of the case, says Sofya Lukinova, head of the legal department of VMT Consult.

— Firstly, negligence — if it can be proved that the staff of the medical institution improperly performed their professional duties, and this led to a massive infection of patients, — she explained. — For example, violation of sanitary and epidemiological standards, reuse of disposable instruments, lack of control over sterility.

The expert recalled that in the case of the Amur Regional Children's Clinical Hospital, three employees were accused of negligence for infecting 164 children with hepatitis C, but the case was dismissed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

— Secondly, causing serious harm to health by negligence, — the lawyer explained. — If it is established that the actions or omissions of medical workers have led to serious harm to the health of patients, this article may be applied. The punishment includes imprisonment for up to a year.

Another composition is causing death by negligence. If patients have died as a result of infection, it is possible to be held accountable under this article. The penalty is up to three years in prison.

"But this will require proving a causal relationship between the actions of health workers and the death of patients,— said Sofya Lukinova.

According to the lawyer, it is difficult to prove the guilt of medical workers due to the need for complex examinations, for example, virological, epidemiological, forensic, and establishing a causal relationship.

"Courts often rely on acts of epidemiological investigations and violations identified by Rospotrebnadzor," she said. — In civil cases, patients can claim compensation for moral and material harm, even if no criminal case has been initiated.

What are the dangers of hepatitis for cancer patients?

Hepatitis B and C viruses are transmitted through blood and biomaterials, recalled microbiologist, virologist, geneticist Olga Galimova.

"We are talking about a systemic error in patient protection: poor—quality sterilization, disinfection of instruments, staff turnover without proper hand hygiene and control, as well as possible contact with infected materials," she said.

Hepatitis B and C viruses are resistant to external conditions and can persist in blood or biomaterials for a moderately long time. Seriously ill cancer patients often have weak immune systems, which increases the risk of infection and complicates hepatitis treatment.

"Hepatitis can significantly worsen the condition of patients: increased liver failure, decreased liver function reserve, increased drug load and limited antitumor therapy," the expert emphasized. — This can lead to delays or cancellations of cancer treatment, a worse prognosis, and increased mortality that is not directly related to the tumor.

Andrey Pozdnyakov, an infectious disease specialist at Invitro, added that hepatitis B has a severe malignant form. In this case, the mortality rate is almost one hundred percent.

"It all goes into a chronic stage and ends with cirrhosis of the liver or the development of a tumor in this organ," he added. — For patients with cancer, such a virus is extremely dangerous due to weakened immunity.

According to Olga Galimova, an independent examination of Rospotrebnadzor and quality control of medical processes are needed to identify the sources of non-compliance with protocols and prevent a repeat of the situation.