From the article:
R.I. Blood Center to lay off 37 workers
“The Rhode Island Blood Center is laying off 37 employees this week and eliminating small-scale blood drives in budget-saving moves spurred by new costs to begin screening for an emerging tick-borne disease.
With Rhode Island identified as being among nine states with high rates of babesiosis, the blood center next year will begin testing for the parasite that causes the disease, said Lawrence Smith, the center’s CEO and president.
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- Can Babesia be Transmitted Through a Blood Tranfusion?
- Currently, there are no FDA licensed tests to screen blood donations for Babesia
- Erlichiosis Found in Blood Banks
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