EDMONTON -- Health officials say improper sterilization of equipment at an Edmonton clinic may have exposed patients to hepatitis B and C.

Alberta Health Services says about 270 patients from the Northtown Medical Clinic may be at risk.

The health agency says chances are low that anyone contracted the infection.

But it has sent letters to patients advising them to get a blood test.

Hepatitis is caused by a virus, inflames the liver and can lead to serious health issues.

It can be spread through contaminated blood or items handled by an infected person.