BEIJING - Laboratory tests indicate that a total of 86 people have been infected with hepatitis C in central China's townships of Maqiao and Dancheng, a Health Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.

Spokesman Deng Haihua made the remark at a press conference while answering a question regarding a suspected outbreak of hepatitis C that was reported in two central China provinces since late October.

A preliminary epidemiological probe conducted by the ministry and provincial authorities has confirmed 23 hepatitis C cases in Dancheng of Anhui province and 63 cases in Maqiao of Henan province, Deng said.

The patients' infections were all confirmed through lab tests and they are now receiving treatment at local clinics, Deng said.

Local health departments are conducting a further investigation into the outbreak and will publicize the results in a timely manner, Deng said.