Blood donors carry viruses

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: The local chapter of the Indonesian Red Cross said that some of the blood it had received from donors turned out to be contaminated by a virus associated with hepatitis or sex-related diseases, Antara reported.

Citing an example, the head of the blood transfusion unit, Said Husin, said that in July, 18 packets of plasma were found to be contaminated.

"We contacted the donors immediately to inform them that they were carrying some virus," Said said. (emb)