At Least 16 People Infected With HIV After Blood Transfusions in China

There could be as many as 16 people infected in Heilongjiang province's Bei'an County after farmers received infected blood transfusions at a hospital associated with the provincial General Bureau of State Farms, the state China Daily reported. An investigation found at least five farmers received infected transfusions between 1999 and 2004, the newspaper said. Through them, four other farmers were infected, though the report did not explain how. On Tuesday, the daily said that the Ministry of Health confirmed nine people were infected because five had received tainted hospital transfusions. Quoting a nurse at the hospital, China Daily said up to 16 could have been infected as a result of the transfusions. The report said the health ministry statement indicated some officials have been disciplined and others are under criminal investigation.

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