Clinic shut down for hepatitis exposure

LAS VEGAS, March 1 (UPI) -- An embattled endoscopy clinic in Las Vegas was shut down after authorities announced 40,000 patients were potentially exposed to deadly diseases.

City officials served the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada with an emergency suspension order Friday, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

"The city now has the business license in hand. They don't have a license to do business in the city of Las Vegas. They might not ask for a hearing. We may just keep the license in our possession indefinitely," Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said.

Investigators reportedly said workers at the clinic frequently reused medication vials and syringes on several patients.

Six patients who received treatment at the clinic were diagnosed with hepatitis C, the report said.

Health experts reportedly said all 40,000 people treated at the facility between March 2004 and Jan. 11 of this year should undergo hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV testing.