Cost-effectiveness of alternative blood-screening strategies for West Nile Virus in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Background

West Nile virus (WNV) is endemic in the US, varying seasonally and by geographic region. WNV can be transmitted by blood transfusion, and mandatory screening of blood for WNV was recently introduced throughout the US. Guidelines for selecting cost-effective strategies for screening blood for WNV do not exist.

Methods and findings

We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis for screening blood for WNV using a computer-based mathematical model, and using data from prospective studies, retrospective studies, and published literature. For three geographic areas with varying WNV-transmission intensity and length of transmission season, the model was used to estimate lifetime costs, quality-adjusted life expectancy, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios associated wi

SUBMITTER: Korves CT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1324950 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature