CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A former New Hampshire hospital employee has been charged with causing a hepatitis C outbreak involving patients who were treated at the hospital's cardiac catheterization lab.

U.S. Attorney John Kacavas said Thursday that 33-year-old David Kwiatkowski, a former lab technician at Exeter Hospital, has been charged with fraudulently obtaining drugs and tampering with a consumer product.

Altogether, 31 people have tested positive for the same strain of the disease since the investigation began in late May.

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral infection that can cause liver disease and chronic health issues.

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