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Debate, Investigation Continues in Nevada's hepatitis C Outbreak

Associated Press - April 21, 2008 6:35 PM ET

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Authorities are moving ahead with a criminal investigation into health care crisis that resulted in eight cases of hepatitis C contracted by patients treated at two southern Nevada clinics.

The probe has been slowed by the seizure of more than 2,000 boxes of medical records of more than 100,000 patients at several clinics, but a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police captain said the seizure was needed because of concern that records might be destroyed.

Capt. Al Salinas told the Legislative Committee on Health Care that a "very active" criminal investigation is under way into the hepatitis outbreak linked to unsafe medical procedures. Agencies involved include his department, the FBI, state attorney general, Clark County district attorney and public health agencies.

The legislative panel, meeting in Las Vegas and Carson City, was told by Lawrence Sands, chief health officer for the Southern Nevada Health District, that the reported hepatitis A cases include seven at a Las Vegas endoscopy center headed by Dr. Dipak Desai.

The eighth case was at another endoscopy clinic also headed by Desai, who had several Las Vegas-area outpatient clinics. The two clinics have surrendered business licenses and paid a total of $500,000 in fines.