West Nile test finds infected donor blood

A new test for West Nile virus in blood donations turned up 600 infected units of blood, which were pulled from the national blood supply, Dr. Julie Gerberding of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said at a press conference yesterday.

On a related note, we’ll be chatting on Monday at noon Pacific time with Dr. Kim Thorburn, Spokane’s chief public health doctor. Thorburn is recovering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, brought on, she thinks, by a bout of West Nile virus. Thorburn believes she contracted West Nile in June when she was bit by a mosquito in Ohio.

To post a question for Thorburn, click here. On Monday at noon, join us for the live online chat.