By Mary Manning

Wed, Jul 23, 2008 (4:39 p.m.)

A ninth case of hepatitis C, this one chronic, has been linked to an original outbreak of acute hepatitis C at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada, the Southern Nevada Health District confirmed today.

Eight cases of acute hepatitis C have been linked to the center at 700 Shadow Lane once operated by Dr. Dipak Desai.

The latest case had a procedure done at the Shadow Lane clinic on one of the two days that researchers had discovered sloppy anesthesia practices infected the patients, said Jennifer Sizemore, spokeswoman for the health district.

Health investigators were able to genetically link the chronic case with the acute cases, Sizemore said.

The investigation began in January and local, state and federal health officials are continuing their investigation into the Shadow Lane clinic as well as the Desert Shadow Endoscopy Center at 4725 Burnham Ave.

The outbreak launched the largest public health notification in the nation in February. Health officials have notified more than 55,000 patients treated at either of those two clinics.

Last month the health district announced that a hepatitis C exposure registry has been started to assist in identifying patients who had procedures at these clinics, including those who are infected with hepatitis C virus. The registry will also include sections allowing patients to report on possible hepatitis B or HIV infections.

The health district is mailing enrollment forms to patients of both clinics, encouraging them to register. Registry information and enrollment forms are available on the health district's website.

The helpline number is (702) 759-4636 where forms may also be requested for those who do not have Internet access.