MORE than 6,000 people will receive letters this week telling them that they may have been exposed to vCJD through blood plasma products, Health Secretary John Reid announced yesterday.
Mr Reid added that the mailing was a "highly precautionary" measure and the risk of any of these patients developing the brain-wasting disease was "very small."
The warning arose from a risk assessment exercise, following the first possible case of a person dying after contracting vCJD through a blood transfusion, which was announced last December.
Dr Angela Robinson, from the National Blood Service, said that nine plasma donors who went on to develop vCJD had now been identified.
Together, these donors made 23 plasma donations, which contributed to around 200 batches of plasma.
The new warning applies only to those who have received plasma products in Britain since 1999.
If you appreciated this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep developing your paper.
Nothing will bring back the hundreds of British soldiers killed fighting in Iraq at Tony Blair's behest.
Under a modicum of scrutiny the PM's international 'achievements' quickly unravel
The Con-Dems have had it their way too long. We have to turn this country around
Printable
Email