More veterans test positive for HIV and hepatitis

MIAMI (AP) - The Department of Veterans Affairs says a fifth
patient has tested positive for HIV and another seven have tested
positive for hepatitis after being exposed to contaminated medical
equipment at three VA hospitals.

The department says 33 people have now tested positive for
hepatitis.

They are among thousands who got blood tests because they were
treated with equipment that wasn't properly sterilized and exposed
them to the body fluids of others. The equipment is often used in
colonoscopies and ear, nose and throat procedures.

Nearly 11,000 former sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines could
have been exposed at the hospitals in Miami, Murfreesboro, Tenn.,
and Augusta, Ga. The agency says it doesn't yet know if the HIV and
hepatitis cases are related to its treatment.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)