September 23, 2009 - New Hepatitis C Cases Linked to Clinic

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A new cluster of hepatitis C cases has been found at a Nevada medical facility already under investigation by state authorities, lawyers suing the facility say.

The plaintiffs' attorneys say they have uncovered evidence that the virus was transmitted to at least three additional patients who underwent colonoscopies on March 15, 2007 at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada, the Las Vegas Sun reported Wednesday.

The Southern Nevada Health District earlier identified seven patients who were exposed to the deadly virus when they underwent colonoscopies at the center on either July 25, 2007 or Sept. 21, 2007.

In court papers filed Tuesday, the plaintiffs' attorneys say medical records indicate all three of the new cases involve the same strain of the hepatitis C virus as well as the same anesthetic, propofol.

They charge transmission of the virus is the result of sloppy handling of vials and syringes containing propofol.