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1 in 3 infected with HIV in blood scandal was a child | 1 in 3 infected with HIV in blood scandal was a child |
(31 minutes later) | |
Richard Warwick was infected with HIV when given contaminated blood products as a child | Richard Warwick was infected with HIV when given contaminated blood products as a child |
Almost one out of every three people infected with HIV through contaminated NHS blood products in the 1970s and 80s was a child, research has found. | Almost one out of every three people infected with HIV through contaminated NHS blood products in the 1970s and 80s was a child, research has found. |
About 380 children with haemophilia and other blood disorders are now thought to have contracted the virus. | |
The new estimate was produced by the public inquiry into the disaster, after a BBC News report into the scandal. | The new estimate was produced by the public inquiry into the disaster, after a BBC News report into the scandal. |
In August, the government agreed to pay survivors and the partners of those who died compensation. | In August, the government agreed to pay survivors and the partners of those who died compensation. |
The first interim payments of £100,000 per person were made last month. | The first interim payments of £100,000 per person were made last month. |
The initial agreement does not cover bereaved parents or the children of those who have died. | The initial agreement does not cover bereaved parents or the children of those who have died. |
A wider announcement on compensation is expected when the inquiry concludes, next year. | A wider announcement on compensation is expected when the inquiry concludes, next year. |
Between 1970 and 1991, 1,250 patients with blood disorders were infected with HIV in the UK when given Factor VIII - a new treatment that replaced the clotting protein missing from their blood. | |
About half died before life-saving antiretroviral drugs became available. | About half died before life-saving antiretroviral drugs became available. |
Tens of thousands of others are believed to have been exposed to hepatitis, which can cause liver failure and cancer, through the same treatment or a blood transfusion. | Tens of thousands of others are believed to have been exposed to hepatitis, which can cause liver failure and cancer, through the same treatment or a blood transfusion. |
Previous estimates for the number of children infected were based on documents referenced in the national archives. | Previous estimates for the number of children infected were based on documents referenced in the national archives. |
The files, from November 1990, showed at least 175 children infected with HIV had qualified for a financial settlement after bringing a legal action against the Department of Health. | |
But after BBC News reported that figure, in October, staff at the public inquiry worked to produce a more accurate estimate. | But after BBC News reported that figure, in October, staff at the public inquiry worked to produce a more accurate estimate. |
And they have now concluded, based on three separate sources, about 380 children were infected. | And they have now concluded, based on three separate sources, about 380 children were infected. |
When the new estimate was read out at the public inquiry, there was an audible gasp from some survivors and relatives. | When the new estimate was read out at the public inquiry, there was an audible gasp from some survivors and relatives. |
'Absolutely heartbreaking' | 'Absolutely heartbreaking' |
Richard Warwick was infected with HIV and two forms of hepatitis as a young boy. | Richard Warwick was infected with HIV and two forms of hepatitis as a young boy. |
He was one of more than 120 pupils with haemophilia at Treloar College, a specialist boarding school in Hampshire, in the 1970s and 80s. | He was one of more than 120 pupils with haemophilia at Treloar College, a specialist boarding school in Hampshire, in the 1970s and 80s. |
At least 72 of them died after being given contaminated blood products at a centre run by NHS staff on the school site. | At least 72 of them died after being given contaminated blood products at a centre run by NHS staff on the school site. |
"We lost so many friends from Treloar's - it was absolutely heartbreaking," Mr Warwick told BBC News. | "We lost so many friends from Treloar's - it was absolutely heartbreaking," Mr Warwick told BBC News. |
His medical records show he first tested positive for HIV in December 1984, aged 19, but was not told about the diagnosis for another three years. | His medical records show he first tested positive for HIV in December 1984, aged 19, but was not told about the diagnosis for another three years. |
"We have now been bombarded with so many horrible statistics that it gets to the point where it starts to wash over you," he said. | "We have now been bombarded with so many horrible statistics that it gets to the point where it starts to wash over you," he said. |
"We can't bring those friends back - but we can still try and get answers for the families of the children who have died." | "We can't bring those friends back - but we can still try and get answers for the families of the children who have died." |
The UK was not self-sufficient in blood products in the 1970s and 80s, so Factor VIII concentrate was often imported from the United States. | The UK was not self-sufficient in blood products in the 1970s and 80s, so Factor VIII concentrate was often imported from the United States. |
Each batch was made from the blood plasma of thousands of donors. | Each batch was made from the blood plasma of thousands of donors. |
Drug companies in the US paid donors - including some in high-risk groups, such as prisoners and drug users. | Drug companies in the US paid donors - including some in high-risk groups, such as prisoners and drug users. |
And if just one was HIV positive, the virus could be transmitted. | And if just one was HIV positive, the virus could be transmitted. |
Haemophilia Society chief executive Kate Burt said: 'We know that some very young children with bleeding disorders were given high-risk factor-concentrate treatment from mid-1983 onwards, which went against guidance at the time. | Haemophilia Society chief executive Kate Burt said: 'We know that some very young children with bleeding disorders were given high-risk factor-concentrate treatment from mid-1983 onwards, which went against guidance at the time. |
"As a result, some parents have had to live with the unbearable question of whether their child's death or infection could have been prevented." | "As a result, some parents have had to live with the unbearable question of whether their child's death or infection could have been prevented." |
You can follow Jim on Twitter. | You can follow Jim on Twitter. |