Australia: Teachers Warned After Needle Scare

The disclosure that 18 students in a science class used the same needle for a blood test has prompted plans to warn all Tasmanian teachers about needle safety. The incident occurred on Aug. 9 at Dover District High School, and all students who took part have been urged to undergo testing for blood-borne viruses, including HIV. Roscoe Taylor, Tasmania's director of public health, said he learned of the potential exposure only last week. "That delay is unacceptable," he said. "It really should have been the case that the [education] department recognized this as a more critical incident and actually contacted us for some health advice earlier." Lin Thorp, the education minister, said the safety warning will be communicated to all teachers prior to the first day of school, Sept. 20.

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