(NECN: Jennifer Eagan) - Federal prosecutors in New Hampshire call him a "serial infector" - authorities allege 33-year-old David Kwiatkowski is the root of an outbreak of hepatitis C among patients at Exeter Hospital's Cardiac Catheterization Lab.
At least 30 patients have been diagnosed with the same strain of hepatitis C as Kwiatkowski.
U.S. Attorney John Kacavas says Kwiatkowski would allegedly inject himself with powerful drugs such as Fentanyl, taken from a secure location at the hospital. He is accused of then replacing the liquid and injecting patients with the tainted syringe.
Fellow employees noticed odd behavior at times.
"Other employees observed him sweating, observed him red-faced, bloodshot, and according or one witness, unfit to provide medical care," said US Attorney Kacavas.
Authorities say Kwiatkowski is from Michigan and worked in at least six other states as a traveling medical technician. He worked at Exeter Hospital from April 2011 to May 2012. Authorities believe he knew he had hepatitis C all along.
The federal prosecutor working on this case emphasized Thursday the investigation is just beginning.
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Hundreds of patients are waiting to hear the results of tests determining whether they have contracted the disease.
In a statement, the CEO of Exeter Hospital said, "It is deeply disturbing that the alleged callous acts of one individual can have such an impact on so many innocent lives."
Kwiatkowski is receiving treatment at an undisclosed Massachusetts hospital. When he is released, he will be handed over to authorities in New Hampshire.
