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BOSTON —Boston health officials say 57 people could have been exposed to blood-borne illnesses when they were treated by a city paramedic believed to have tampered with vials of painkillers and sedatives.

The paramedic is believed to have tampered with the drugs, including fentanyl, morphine, lorazapam and midazolam, during a six-week period in the summer of 2011.

“As someone who’s been with Boston EMS for 34 years, I’m disappointed, hurt, angered, and a few other words I probably can’t use,” EMS Chief James Hooley said.

Barbara Ferrer, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission, said they do not believe the EMT in question carries any infectious diseases.  The patients who were possibly exposed are being contacted, and will receive free testing as a precaution.

Officials also said they do not know how the individual may have tampered with the medications, which are in liquid form and are injected.

“The paramedic in question has been relieved of all duties since the alleged misconduct was discovered, and EMS cannot comment on any details pertaining to the employee’s activities because of an ongoing criminal investigation,” the Boston Health Commission said in a statement.

Seven patients attended to by the EMT in question have since died, but health officials said their deaths are unrelated to the investigation.

The person’s name was not released and no charges have been filed. The paramedic was relieved of all duties in September 2011.