Mysterious particles in blood baffle federal agencies

FEB. 6–ATLANTA, Georgia–The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention is still trying to determine the source of contaminated donor blood in Georgia and Tennessee.

The investigation began last week when the Red Cross asked hospitals to stop using bags of blood containing mysterious particles.

Early tests of the blood bags indicated the particles are natural components that can occur when blood is stored under normal conditions. But the FDA said it is not ready to confirm those results, and tests by the Red Cross and the CDC are ongoing.

Blood is being shipped in from other states to alleviate a shortage, and many hospitals have been forced to postpone some elective surgeries.

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