Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1983. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The New York Times - June 6, 1983
Ronald Sullivan
More than half of the 1,450 cases of the disorder - acquired immune deficiency syndrome - that have been reported nationally have occurred in New York City, afflicting primarily homosexuals and, to a lesser extent, intra-venous drug users. There is no known cause or cure for the disorder, which medical experts say is usually fatal.
In a joint statement yesterday, Dr. Johanna Pindyck, vice president and director of the blood program, and Dr. Stephen Friedman, the city's top epidemiologist, said: "While there is a possibility that AIDS may be transmitted through blood, the data do not suggest that blood transfusions from volunteer donors are an important route for such spread. The measures that have been instituted by the health authorities and blood collection agencies further reduce the possibility of such spread."
Dr. Pindyck said 10 cases of AIDS were linked to the 10 million blood transfusions in the country in the last three years. In nine of the cases, the donors appeared to be free of AIDS symptoms, she said. As a consequence, she added, "there does not seem to be any conclusive evidence that AIDS is spread by blood transfusion." If it were, she said, the risks are less than one in a million - or much less than forgoing a transfusion that could be lifesaving.
She said the safety of blood supplies was being assured by screening out donors from high-risk AIDS groups -homosexuals, intravenous drug users, Haitians and anyone having intimate contact with members of such groups. She said donors are given a confidential form with provisions for using a blood donation only for "studies" if donors believe they fall within the risk groups.
The nonprofit blood program, run in cooperation with the Red Cross, collects blood for distribution to hospitals.
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