The Hutchinson Collegian

Cases of the West Nile Virus have now risen to over 2,206 and 108 were fatal and the count continues. The only difference is that there is a possibility of more than one way to become a recipient of the virus.

Babies at Risk
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the West Nile virus may now be able to be transmitted through breast milk. It is not proven yet that this could happen, but officials have found genetic material from West Nile in breast milk. This evidence has pushed officials to persuade mothers who have been infected or think they may be infected to not breast feed.

The only serious case of this way of transmittance has not actually been determined yet, and the baby at this time does not show any symptoms of the virus. But the Center for Disease Control and Prevention does plan to run blood tests on the baby and run a culture test on the mother’s breast milk, this may take awhile.

Blood Transfusions

Another new discovery about the West Nile Virus deals with blood transfusions. It is now being discussed by the CDC what plans to take to ensure all blood recipients are getting blood that is not infected with the virus.

“The American Red Cross is doing all that it can at this time to work with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Drug Administra-tion and other non-Red Cross members to create a test for this virus,” said Diane Elder, American Red Cross Coordinating Officer of the Central Plains Region.

As of this time, the Red Cross does not have any special precautions set aside for this virus due to the fact that there are not any special tests that can be run for West Nile.

“We already screen donors. They must have good health. That is what we are continuing to do,” Elder said.

The American Red Cross runs many checks before a donor’s blood is aloud to be used. The donor’s fever and blood pressure are checked and they are required to answer an extensive list of questions prior to donating. Following the donation, the blood is run through many tedious tests.

Although the virus can be transported through blood, most students still remain calm.

“I’m not really worried about it. I don’t know anyone who has gotten it and you can be treated for it. That’s why I’m not worried about it,” Michael Knapp, Buhler, said.

Although some may believe the news to cause a drop in blood donations and or transfusion recipients, officials are not worried.

“There is no risk to the blood donor themselves, and to the recipient, the risk is much larger if the transfusion is not given,” Elder said.

It has also been found that the virus can be transferred through organ donations, but this has not been confirmed. Recently, a handful of organs donated from a West Nile carrier were given to others in need of the organs. The recipients of the organs have all died, so officials are running tests on the organs of these people and the organs of virus carriers that are still living.

Officials are beginning to look for a cure, but are not expecting that one will be found anytime soon. If anything, a test for diseased blood may be developed by the spring of 2003.

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