07/24/08

LAS VEGAS (AP) _ The Southern Nevada Health District is
identifying the two dates in 2007 when officials believe hepatitis
C was transmitted between patients at the Endoscopy Center of
Southern Nevada.

In a report prepared for the district board on Thursday,
officials say genetic testing traced the virus to patients treated
on July 25, 2007, and on Sept. 21, 2007.

On Wednesday, officials said a ninth case of hepatitis C was
linked to the Las Vegas clinic and a sister facility, the Desert
Shadow Endoscopy Center.

In the biggest public health notification in U.S. history, the
district last February advised some 50,000 clinic patients to get
blood tests for hepatitis B, C and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Authorities say patients were exposed to the virus when clinic
staff reused syringes and medicine vials.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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