Las Vegas Endoscopy Clinic Cases of Hepatitis-C Reaches 85

Health officials have added 77 more people to the list of those infected with Hepatitis-C as a result of treatment at two Las Vegas endoscopy clinics run by the same doctors. The announcement raises the total number of confirmed cases to 85. At least 300 other individuals treated at the clinics have also been diagnosed with Hepatitis-C, but health officials have been unable to rule out other potential causes in those cases.

The Las Vegas endoscopy clinics engaged in dangerous and unsafe practices, including the re-use of syringes and vials of anesthesia meant for use with only one patient. It is unclear exactly when these practices started, but as many as 50,000 people in the greater Las Vegas area may have been exposed to a risk of Hepatitis C or other diseases.

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease which is sppread by blood-to-blood contact. It is a serious medical concern, which can lead to liver inflammation, cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. Early treatment is important to manage the infection and prevent further spreading, but symptoms are often mistaken for general illness or not recognized at all. Early symptoms of acute Hepatitis C could include fatigue, loss of appetite, joint pain, itching and flu like symptoms.

The Las Vegas hepatitis C outbreak has been directly attributed to the medical care provided at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada and the Desert Shadow Endoscopy Center. Both clinics are run by Drs. Dipak Desai and Eladio Carrera, who have since lose their license to practice medicine in the State of Nevada.

Approximately 40,000 letters have been sent to patients treated at the clinics to notify them that they may have been exposed to hepatitis C. Hundreds of these patients in the Las Vegas area have retained attorneys to help them obtain compensation for injuries caused by the unsafe medical practices.