29 hepatitis B cases tied to one N. J. doctor

updated 7:35 p.m. ET Sept. 9, 2009

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - New Jersey health officials are urging 2,000 more patients to get tested for hepatitis B and other blood-borne diseases following an outbreak linked to a single doctor's office.

In March, the state told nearly 2,800 of Dr. Parvez Dara's patients to get tested after several were diagnosed with hepatitis B. Officials say there are now 29 positive cases, plus 68 others who tested positive for antibodies that cannot be definitively linked to the outbreak.

On Aug. 12, the state sent out a letter to 2,000 more patients advising them to be tested.

The state is aware of nearly 1,400 patients who have been tested so far.

Dara's medical license was suspended in April. His attorney has said there is no evidence that the hepatitis cases are linked to the physician.

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