The blood transfusion happened during emergency treatment of the British soldiers. But lack of proper screening and poor record keeping may have exposed the Britons to infectious virus like HIV, hepatitis or syphilis.
British Defense Minister Derek Twigg said, "The procedures weren't followed in terms of retrospective testing by the Americans." He added, "We work very closely with the Americans in terms of battlefield casualties, and a number of our people have been saved by the Americans at their medical centers."
Tested again, the American donors were found to be negative for HIV and hepatitis, while the soldiers from U.K. and civilians involved were informed of the risks they possible face.
Aside from the 18, six more Britons who are contractors at U.S. bases in Afghanistan or Iraq are also in danger of having been exposed to contaminated blood. British general practitioners will offer them screening and counseling.
Twigg pointed out the troops would have likely died if they did not received the transfusions, although he admitted the bad news that they may have received contaminated blood was not immediately relayed to them.
The victims were frontliners from the U.K.'s Parachute Regiment, Royal Marines and other Infantry Regiments.
As a result of the incident, the American and British military are now reviewing their medical procedures.
