WASHINGTON, February 3, 2003 — As a result of an ongoing investigation regarding the blood supply in Atlanta, the American Red Cross has found white particulate in blood bags collected in its Tennessee Valley Region, based in Nashville. The discovery led Tennessee Valley to quarantine 70 percent of its blood inventory late Sunday.

Hospitals in both regions have quarantined blood collected in those regions. All of the affected blood was collected in the same type of blood collection bag. The Red Cross has quickly moved to bring in new blood bags in the affected regions to allow for increased collections.

We have asked our regions nationwide to inspect inventories for this particulate matter and report any such findings immediately.

To date, 110 units in the Southern Region and 10 units in the Tennessee Valley Region have been found to have white particulate. Through its national distribution system, the Red Cross has shipped 2,600 units to Atlanta this weekend and is expecting to send another 1,600-2,000 units today to help ensure blood availability. Tennessee has received 99 units and is expecting to import 400 by day’s end.

Extensive testing by the Red Cross, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the blood bag manufacturer and others has determined the white particles are non-infectious. CDC testing found no evidence the white matter is associated with any viral or bacterial biothreat agents including Ebola, anthrax, plague or smallpox. The CDC and others are continuing investigations into the nature of the white particulate.

The top priority of the American Red Cross is the safety and availability of the blood supply and the patients who rely on us to provide lifesaving blood. The quarantine of these units from hospital inventories is a precautionary measure taken to help ensure patient safety.

At this time, donating blood now is even more important. The Red Cross is asking eligible donors to schedule an appointment to donate blood by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to help support their friends and neighbors across the country.

The Tennessee Valley Region covers middle Tennessee and parts of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri. The Southern Region covers Georgia and part of northern Florida.

For more information, please contact: Michelle Hudgins at 703-312-5643 or Christine Pearson 703-312-5713.

Email Us