Prevention of blood-borne diseases in Bolivia, 1993-2002.

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.