A blood banker in Houston asks if anyone has systematically addressed the threat of various bioterrorist agents to the blood supply? She says that she has seen analyses (including by the CDC) of the more likely agents to be used and their health implications, but she has not seen the level of detail we need to evaluate the risk to the blood supply. As she sees it, the risk would be primarily during any period when the affected donor would be bacteremic (or viremic) but not symptomatic. Presumably the sick would be excluded by the general health screening. If anyone has gathered this data, please share it with the e-network forum at: cbbs-network@mail.com.

The following responses have been received:

1. A scientific expert within the American Red Cross wrote: "There has been some consideration of this issue by the Red Cross and by other agencies. I suspect that there will shortly be some formal effort to develop consistent approaches among the blood organizations. Simply put, the response would be to shut down all operations in an area that has been attacked, recall/recover products as needed and rely upon other providers for blood support. The military would have the capability of moving blood safely. On a personal note, while I think it tempting to consider measures that might save some blood by assessing risk, it really would not be worth the effort. I think that smallpox would be of most concern among the "big four" agents."

2. A blood banker in North Carolina wrote: "It is my understanding that this very question is in the process of being addressed by the government."

ADDENDUM Oct. 17, 2001

3. The FDA has just released their Guidance for Industry on this issue.

Please submit comments to the e-Network Forum.

Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator