WASHINGTON - August 23, 2009 - 11,000 veterans who had colonoscopies at U.S. Veterans Affairs hospitals may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

The veterans were advised equipment used during their treatment was not sterilized. Of those so far that responded by having follow-up blood checks, 8 have tested positive for HIV. Twelve of the veterans have tested positive for hepatitis B, and 37 have tested positive for hepatitis C.

This week it was learned that a 55-year-old North Miami man, Juan Rivera, a thirteen-year Army veteran with a wife and 5 children, filed notice last month that he will sue the federal government, claiming he was infected with HIV during a colonoscopy at the Miami Veterans Administration hospital. He had a colonoscopy at the hospital last year in May.

Rivera is suing the government for $20 million. On March 28, the V.A. Department wrote to more than 3,000 veterans who had colonoscopies at the Miami VA hospital, advising them that improperly cleaned equipment might have exposed them to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

VA officials say endoscopy equipment was rinsed instead of being sterilized, as was required by the manufacturer's directions.

Similar problems were uncovered at VA hospitals in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Augusta, Georgia. The resulting total number of veterans who may have been infected expanded to more than 11,000.

Ed. Note: This is the same government that wants to run YOUR health care, starting by injecting you with untested vaccines