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Don't Stop Transfusions Due to West Nile Fears
Friday, October 4, 2002
By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

Because of the reports of transmissions through blood, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are warning blood donor centers to be especially vigilant in screening potential donors. Fitzpatrick described this process as performing a "mini- physical" on donors -- checking such things as temperature, blood pressure and pulse, and asking questions about the donor's general health. "All collection centers have been doing this routinely for years," Fitzpatrick said. "This is merely a heightened awareness."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Officials are urging people not to forgo blood transfusions because of concerns about West Nile Virus.

"A blood transfusion is usually a life-saving or life-sustaining event," said Army Col. Michael Fitzpatrick, director of the Armed Services Blood Program.

Medical experts have recently reported several cases where individuals are believed to have contracted West Nile Virus through blood transfusions or donated organs.

Fitzpatrick said the risk of getting ill from West Nile Virus is so low that he wouldn't want someone to choose not to get a needed blood transfusion.

West Nile Virus is generally spread through bites from infected mosquitoes. It is deadly for some types of birds and horses, but generally doesn't cause illness in humans, according to public-health experts.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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