Officials say 10,000 more at risk in hepatitis outbreak

LAS VEGAS The Southern Nevada Health District says another 10,000 people may have been exposed to hepatitis C at an outpatient medical clinic in Las Vegas.

District officials announced the updated estimate at a meeting Thursday. It brings to 50,000 the number of people who authorities say might have been infected with hepatitis or HIV through the Endoscopy Center of Nevada.

Officials say a review of health insurance records led to the higher number.

The health district began notifying more than 40,000 patients in February that they might have been exposed to the potentially fatal viruses.

Authorities blame the infections on the reuse of needles and vials of medication on multiple patients, and say they've traced eight acute cases of hepatitis C to two clinics.