West Nile victims being asked about blood donations

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- State health officials are asking Minnesotans who have the West Nile virus whether they had recently received or donated blood.

The Health Department will forward the answers of the 16 Minnesotans who have contracted the virus to blood banks, which keep samples of donated blood that they can test for West Nile.

Both the Health Department and the American Red Cross stressed that blood donors don't face any risk of getting West Nile by giving blood.

They also say the risk of contracting the virus from a blood transfusion is very low.

Officials know of no cases of the virus being transmitted through transfusions in Minnesota.