Prevention of Blood-borne Diseases in Bolivia, 1993–2002

Gabriel A. Schmunis Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Washington, DC; Regional Blood Bank, Santa Cruz, Bolivia; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Pan American Health Organization, Guatemala City, Guatemala; National Center for tropical Diseases, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

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Gloria Rodriguez Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Washington, DC; Regional Blood Bank, Santa Cruz, Bolivia; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Pan American Health Organization, Guatemala City, Guatemala; National Center for tropical Diseases, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

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Jan Coenen Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Washington, DC; Regional Blood Bank, Santa Cruz, Bolivia; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Pan American Health Organization, Guatemala City, Guatemala; National Center for tropical Diseases, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

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Enrique Gil Bellorin Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Washington, DC; Regional Blood Bank, Santa Cruz, Bolivia; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Pan American Health Organization, Guatemala City, Guatemala; National Center for tropical Diseases, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

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Alberto Gianella Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Washington, DC; Regional Blood Bank, Santa Cruz, Bolivia; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Pan American Health Organization, Guatemala City, Guatemala; National Center for tropical Diseases, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

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This report shows the outcome of a coordinated effort by locals, foreign institutions, and an international agency, from 1996–2002, aimed at preventing transmission of blood-borne diseases in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. From 2001–2002, testing the donor pool for HIV prevented transfusion of 32 infected units and 29 infections. With 100% screening coverage, 196 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected units were discarded, and 177 infections of HBV were prevented between 1999 and 2002. Incomplete screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) may have tainted nine units of blood and generated eight HCV infections in 1999. On the other hand, 600 units infected with HCV were discarded, and 540 HCV infections were prevented between 1999 and 2002. Screening for Chagas disease prevented transfusion of 10,661 tainted units and 2,133 infections from 1999 to 2002. From 1996–2002, the investment was US$1,108,000.

Author Notes

Reprint requests: Enrique Gil Bellorin, Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana. Ancon, Avenida Gorgas, Edificio 261, 2do piso, Casilla Postal 0843-03441, Ciudad de Panama, Panama, E-mail: gilenriq@pan.
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