An Ocean County doctor linked to five cases of hepatitis B has had his license to practice medicine suspended.

The state Board of Medical Examiners met Friday to decide Dr. Parvez Dara's fate. Dara's license will remain suspended until the board decides to reinstate him. No timetable has been given for his reinstatement.

Dr. Dara specializes in blood disease and cancer treatment. After the five patients involved with the case reported the allegations, the state Department of Health says it investigated Dara's Toms River office.

"We decided to go into the office to see what their procedure was like to see if there was any potential for blood-borne transmission," Dr. Barbara Montana, a state health department inspector, says.

Health inspectors say they found blood on the floor of the chemotherapy room, open medical vials and other unsanitary conditions.

Dara's attorney say there is no direct evidence the hepatitis B cases are linked to his client's office.