Health officials find 77 more hepatitis victims

Health authorities said Thursday that 77 more patients might have contracted hepatitis C at a local medical clinic where unsafe injection practices have been identified.

The 77 patients of the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada, who recently tested positive for the liver disease, did not report any other risk factors for the disease other than having undergone a procedure at the clinic, said Brian Labus, senior epidemiologist for the Southern Nevada Health District.

"We can't say for certain that they got it at the clinic; however, the clinic is the obvious source of infection considering they had no other risk factors," Labus said.

The new cases are not acute, and patients would not have apparent symptoms.

The 77 are among 400 former patients of the facility on Shadow Lane who recently tested positive and have been interviewed by health district staff in an investigation to determine the source of infection.

With the remaining 300-plus cases, investigators identified one or more risk factors, such as a history of illicit intravenous drug use, an organ transplant or blood transfusion before 1992, hemodialysis for kidney failure, and sexual contact with a known carrier of hepatitis C.

The patients were asked about the risk factors during follow-up interviews. Because many infections might have been acquired years earlier, health officials cannot say with certainty what the source of infection is, Labus said.

"We can't make a leap that they all came from there," said Dr. Scott Holmberg of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about linking hepatitis C cases to the Shadow Lane center. "Some people may not tell the truth about drug use, for instance."

MONDAY

Gibbons remains state's first lady

Dawn Gibbons will continue to perform all the functions befitting Nevada's first lady despite her pending divorce from Gov. Jim Gibbons, her lawyer said.

"She doesn't believe that just because her husband is trying to divorce her that she should not be performing acts for the common good," said Reno lawyer Cal Dunlap, a former Washoe County district attorney.

Earlier in the day, Carson City District Judge Bill Maddox signed an order sealing most records in the divorce case and mandated that the divorce trial be conducted in private.

TUESDAY

MGM Mirage's earnings drop

MGM Mirage announced its quarterly earnings were down 30 percent.

The souring national economy, which kept many potential MGM Mirage customers away from the company's 10 Strip resorts, was a primary factor as the casino operator said its profits were $50 million less than a year ago. MGM Mirage said higher costs due to the openings of two resorts plus the three-week closure of the Monte Carlo from a Jan. 25 rooftop fire drove results even lower.

WEDNESDAY

Teachers consider gaming tax pact

The state teachers union is in talks with gaming companies about a possible agreement to call off an initiative petition that would raise gaming taxes.

Under the proposed deal being discussed, the tax on hotel rooms would be increased instead, and the new revenue collected put toward schools.

The ballot initiative being circulated by the Nevada State Education Association would increase taxes on gross gaming receipts and put the money toward education.

THURSDAY

Drug tests may become routine

Random drug testing of student athletes might soon become a routine for eight area public high schools after a decision by the Clark County School Board to pursue federal funding.

The School District is following the lead of Green Valley High School in Henderson, which began drug testing in January.

Jeff Horn, the principal of Green Valley, said the program has shown results. Only seven students, or 3 percent, have tested positive out of the total of 245 students tested.

FRIDAY

Fewer visitors play in Las Vegas

The number of people who visited Las Vegas in March fell 1 percent to about 3.4 million, prompting resort operators to lower hotel rates to keep rooms full.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported March visitation figures that showed declines in rates, occupancy and overall number of visitors.

"We are being impacted by the national economy," said Kevin Bagger, director of Internet marketing and research for the authority.

COMPILED BY MICHAEL SQUIRES

READ THE FULL STORIES ONLINE AT