Suspect Blood May Have Been Used In Chch (Press, 6 November 1984)

On 6 November 1984, concerns emerged in Christchurch regarding the potential contamination of blood products used by haemophiliacs. Specifically, about 50 bottles of Prothrombinex, a blood-clotting agent, were sent from Australia, with approximately three-quarters already used by patients before contamination suspicions arose. Dr Gordon Whyte, the regional transfusion officer at Christchurch Hospital, indicated that 10 to 15 New Zealand haemophiliacs might have received this product. Dr Graeme Woodfield, medical director of the Auckland Blood Transfusion Centre, noted that New Zealand had imported 400 vials of Prothrombinex, with 25 percent returned due to the contamination fears. He suggested that potentially half of the vials might ultimately be returned. In Christchurch, about 60 haemophiliacs live in the area, but only 8 to 10 require this specific blood-clotting agent. It was explained that if those who received the suspect agent developed A.I.D.S., symptoms might not appear for six months to two years due to the disease's incubation period. Dr Whyte stated that while the risk of contracting A.I.D.S. from the agent was relatively low, estimated at about one in 1,000 to 2,000, there were prospects for changing procedures to further reduce contamination risk. He highlighted that to ensure blood transfusions were safer, New Zealand would discontinue pooling its blood with that from Australia and instead process it separately. He expressed hope that this change would increase responsibility for donor safety. The local homosexual community was noted to cooperate voluntarily in refraining from donating when at risk. Dr Whyte pointed out that many haemophiliacs were aware of the A.I.D.S. risk yet chose to accept it to avoid the painful symptoms associated with their condition. Mr Tony Goodwin, secretary of the Haemophilia Society, lamented the inevitability of A.I.D.S. becoming a factor for New Zealand haemophiliacs, identifying them as innocent victims as the country relied on imported blood products due to the lack of a domestic blood fractionation facility. In Australia, the situation also called for urgent action, with health authorities searching for nearly 40 haemophiliacs who received potentially contaminated blood-clotting products. The infection concern stemmed from two clotting agents distributed in March, with patients likely receiving them in August. Dr Neville McCarthy, director of the Melbourne-based Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, acknowledged the potential danger to lives, affirming that once infected recipients were identified, they would be monitored. The alert originated when laboratory scientists discovered an 807-bottle batch containing an A.I.D.S. antibody. Subsequent tests confirmed that one male donor was a carrier of A.I.D.S. antibodies, prompting measures to prevent further donations from that individual. Meanwhile, in Wellington, a Health Department spokesman mentioned the formation of a special working group aimed at developing an A.I.D.S. screening test for blood donors, expected to be completed in six months, as part of efforts to mitigate the virus's spread in New Zealand.

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