Vegas Health Agency Reports Big Rise in Positive Hepatitis Tests

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Vegas Health Agency Reports Big Rise in Positive Hepatitis Tests

Posted: 12:09 PM Mar 27, 2008

Last Updated: 12:09 PM Mar 27, 2008

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Health officials are reporting a threefold increase in positive

tests for the potentially fatal hepatitis C virus, but say they don't know yet

how many cases can be traced to treatment at a southern Nevada medical clinic.

The Southern Nevada Health District typically fields 20 to 40 positive hepatitis

C reports a day, but has been getting up to 150, officials said in a report

released Thursday.

Telephone calls will be needed to identify patients who may have contracted

hepatitis C from the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada

or the affiliated Desert Shadow Endoscopy Center in Las Vegas.

" This is a marathon, not a sprint, " said Labus, senior epidemiologist for

the health district. Health officials last month began notifying 40,000 patients

treated since 2004 at the Endoscopy Center to get tested for hepatitis strains

C, B and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

" It is really going to take some time, " Labus said.

The investigation was triggered by the discovery that six patients contracted

hepatitis C on two dates last year due to unsafe practices at the Endoscopy

Center.

A seventh person with the virus has been linked to the Desert Shadow Endoscopy

Center in Las Vegas. Both clinics are among six headed by Dr. Dipak Desai.

Authorities still need to pinpoint when patients who've tested positive

contracted the virus, and Labus said calls will seek information about patients'

medical history and risk factors, including whether they use intravenous drugs.

The earliest the district could have complete results is July, he said, although

some preliminary findings should be available earlier.

The federal Medical Reserve Corps, a group of about 200 local volunteer health

care professionals, will assist in asking the questions, said a Martel,

program coordinator. She said the organization assists local health authorities

during medical emergencies.

The questionnaire will be used to verify a patient's name, place and date of

procedure and whether they were given Propofol, an injectable form of

anesthesia.

" Obviously, if the person didn't have a procedure at the clinic, that is pretty

much the end of the interview, " Labus said.

Health officials believe the six known hepatitis C cases occurred when nurse

anesthetists reused syringes on infected patients, contaminating vials of

medication that were shared by multiple patients.

The health district has linked 117 patients to days when infection probably was

spread at the facility. They are being contacted and are currently undergoing

interviews and blood testing, Labus said.

The health district is awaiting access to medical records currently held by Las

Vegas police to determine if patients of the Desert Shadow Endoscopy Center

should be advised to be tested, Labus said.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. .)

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