Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Miami Herald - Sunday, April 20, 2003
Fred Tasker, ftasker@herald.com
The American Association of Blood Banks, citing "the urgency of the situation" nationwide, announced it would begin testing every pint of donated blood, even though the test is not fully approved by the FDA.
Dr. Lisa Conti, state public health veterinarian, said state researchers have found West Nile virus antibodies in "sentinel chickens" kept around the state that are tested weekly.
"We're concerned that we're seeing that so early in the season," she said.
The West Nile virus, first detected in the United States in New York in 1999, last year infected 4,000 individuals in 39 states, killing 274, including two in Florida.
The virus has been spreading faster recently, according to a statement by the American Association of Blood Banks.
"Because of the urgency of the situation, we're using the tests even though they are not yet fully approved and licensed by the FDA," association president Roger Dodd said.
Until last year, experts suspected the virus was transmitted to humans only by mosquitoes.
Then tests found that in 21 cases, the infection was transmitted by blood transfusions.
Starting in July, every pint of donated blood will be tested for the virus.
The new test will use nucleic acid amplification testing to look for the virus' genetic signature.
The FDA will monitor the tests as part of the process of giving them final approval.
A similar approach was used successfully earlier in permitting use of tests for detecting the hepatitis C virus and HIV before those tests were fully approved.
In urging Florida residents to take precautions, Conti said, ``Many counties have had considerable rain already, and mosquito populations are increasing. These are the harbingers, and they are real reasons to take preventive measures."
She asked Floridians to follow the Four D's of the virus:
ò Dusk to dawn, avoid being outside without wearing mosquito repellent on exposed skin.
ò Dress to cover when outside.
ò Drain wet areas around the house.
ò DEET is the essential ingredient that is effective in mosquito repellents.
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