Flu outbreak and slow December creates national blood shortage

(New York-AP) -- A combination of bugs -- millennial and flu -- have left blood banks around the country with severe shortages.<br><br>Twenty-five of the 37 regional blood centers run by the American Red

Monday, January 17th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(New York-AP) -- A combination of bugs -- millennial and flu -- have left blood banks around the country with severe shortages.

Twenty-five of the 37 regional blood centers run by the American Red Cross say despite a national appeal they have less than one day's supply of Type O blood, which is known as the "universal donor type."

December is normally a slow time for blood banks anyway, but officials say pre-millennial fervor hurt collections even more. An early flu season is blamed for keeping donors home in January.

Areas hardest hit by the blood shortage include Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington.