Blood donors warned about SARS risk

Friday, 16 May 2003 12:00 AM

The World Health Organisation has released new guidelines on how to stop the spread of the SARS virus.

The new instructions cover more obscure areas of concern such as blood donation and general guidelines on events with "mass gatherings".

Although no probable SARS case has been ascribed to transmission by blood products or blood derivatives, there is a theoretical risk from transfusions.

The precautionary recommendations include deferring donations from those with symptoms of SARS, or those who have the disease itself; asking donors who develop symptoms after giving blood to report these to their doctor; and tracing anyone who may have been given infected blood.

The recommendations could also apply to organ and tissue transplantation.

Regarding the spread of SARS in crowds the WHO has noted that only people with symptoms are contagious and can transmit the disease, and that close contact is required for transmission.

It does not recommend the wearing of masks by those with no symptoms who are travelling from infected areas.

The warnings come as the Far East continues to struggle to control the disease. Only Vietnam has so far been successful in eliminating the virus, with China reporting a reduced, but still significant number of new cases every day - 52 yesterday and 39 today.

There have been only a handful of new cases in Hong Kong , and there were no new cases in Singapore, which could be declared SARS-free by Sunday.

However, in Taiwan the situation is more serious, with the country's health minister resigning today over his handling of the crisis. The number of SARS cases has surged dramatically in Taiwan, with at least two more deaths reported on Friday.

At least 300 officials in China have also been fired or punished for their response to the SARS outbreak.

In the UK the situation regarding SARS has been clarified. There have been at least six suspected cases of SARS, but the Health Protection Agency noted that only one of these cases actually tested positive for the atypical pneumonia, while others were found to be severe forms of flu and other respiratory problems. Three cases are still unconfirmed.

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