- Scrteening the blood supply was an excellent idea and
it is working. Cases of WNV are being identified in prospective blood donors.
This translates to lives saved.
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- Patricia Doyle
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- First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Found In Asymptomaic
Blood Donor
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- Government Of Alberta News Release
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- The first case of West Nile virus infection in a human
in Alberta has been reported. The young woman is from Calgary and is not
exhibiting any of the symptoms of the disease. The infection was identified
by a Canadian Blood Services screening test after the young woman donated
blood Thu 7 Aug 2003.
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- The unit of blood has been withdrawn from inventory and
the donor will not be eligible to donate blood again for 56 days, at which
time the virus will no longer be present in her system. She was contacted
immediately and additional blood testing was conducted over the weekend.
A positive test was confirmed on Mon 11 Aug 2003.
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- "Based on the experience of other jurisdictions,
we knew it was only a matter of time before West Nile virus would eventually
spread to humans in Alberta and now it appears it has," said Dr Brent
Friesen, medical officer of health, Calgary Health Region. "Testing
by Canadian Blood Services and the Provincial Lab confirm we have our first
case. Further testing is being carried out by Health Canada for final confirmation."
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- "The initial test results show our West Nile virus
test is doing exactly what it was designed to do -- help reduce the risk
that the virus will enter the blood supply," said Dr Dale Towns, Calgary
medical director, Canadian Blood Services. "This case serves as another
reminder for people to take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes
when they are outdoors," said Dr Gloria Keays, associate provincial
health officer. "While the risk of infection remains very low, people
should take necessary precautions.
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- Dr Friesen points out that the majority of individuals
who contract West Nile virus infection will show no symptoms at all and
the infection will run its course. In 15 to 20 per cent of cases, those
contracting the virus will suffer from flu-like symptoms, fever, sore muscles
and fatigue. In less than one per cent of the cases, victims will experience
headaches, nausea, vomiting, weakness, numbness and paralysis. Testing
for the West Nile virus infection is not recommended unless people are
experiencing the more severe forms of illness.
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- http://www.gov.ab.ca/acn/200308/14941.html
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- [Although West Nile virus has been detected already in
wild birds, equines, and mosquitoes in Alberta, this report records the
most westerly occurrence of West Nile virus infection in the human population
in Canada. This report indicates also that as in the United States the
screening of blood donations is proving to be the most sensitive indicator
of the presence of the virus in the human population. In Canada 2 of the
3 human cases of West Nile virus infection (one in Alberta and one in Saskatchewan)
have been asymptomatic blood donors. - Mod.CP]
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- Patricia A. Doyle, PhD Please visit my "Emerging
Diseases" message board at: http://www.clickitnews.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=emergingdiseases
Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa Go with God and in Good Health
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