Re: WNV and blood donations

Highly unlikely. The initial cases of West Nile virus were clustered in
discrete areas of the northeast. Blood is widely distributed.

John J. Howard, MPH, Dr. PH
Research Scientist V
Arthropod-borne Disease Program
Bureau of Communicable Disease Control
New York State Department of Health

                      Ed Beary
                      <beary@geneseo.edu> To: WESTNILEVIRUS-L@cornell.edu
                      Sent by: cc:
                      owner-WESTNILEVIRUS-L@ Subject: WNV and blood donations
                      cornell.edu

                      03/21/2003 09:56 AM
                      Please respond to
                      beary

A recent article reminded me of a question that I have not seen answered.

What role, if any, could the Red Cross and other blood distribution groups
play in the initial spread of WNV before it was discovered that it could be
transmitted by human blood? Has this been investigated? If so, what were
the results?

Did anyone look at the occurrence of WNV and the movement of blood and
blood products to the same areas?

I can see how the movement of blood to disaster areas such as flood sites
and hurricane damage areas as well as routine shipment to hospitals could
have played a role.
Received on Fri Mar 21 14:40:26 2003