In January 2008, investigators from CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis and Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion responded to a request from the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) to help investigate three persons reported to the local surveillance program with acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; all three persons had undergone procedures at a Las Vegas endoscopy clinic. Since beginning the investigation, CDC and SNHD have identified a total of six cases of HCV infection among patients who had undergone procedures at the clinic in the 35–90 days prior to onset of symptoms. These patients did not have other risks for HCV infection. Molecular diagnostic testing conducted by CDC confirmed the relatedness of several of these infections.

On investigation of the clinic, CDC and SNHD observed practices that had the potential to transmit HCV. On the basis of these findings, SNHD is notifying 40,000 past patients who were potentially exposed to HCV and other infectious diseases. CDC is providing ongoing support to SNHD for this investigation.

Healthcare associated transmission of HCV infection accounts for a small proportion of infections in the United States. Since 2001, CDC has identified other HCV outbreaks in healthcare settings associated with syringe reuse and other lapses in recommended infection control practices.

In response to these investigations, patients with possible exposures associated with these outbreaks were notified and directed to testing for HIV, HBV, and HCV.