U.S. FDA issues blood donation guidelines against Zika virus risk

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday issued a new guidance recommending those who have traveled to areas with active transmission of Zika virus during the past four weeks should refrain from donating blood.

Individuals considered to be at risk also included those who have had symptoms suggestive of Zika virus infection during the past four weeks and those who have had sexual contact with a person who has traveled to, or resided in, Zika-affected areas during the prior three months.

The FDA said such individuals should wait at least four weeks before donating blood.

In areas with active Zika virus transmission, the FDA recommended that whole blood and blood components for transfusion be obtained from areas of the U.S. without active transmission.

"Based on the best available evidence, we believe the new recommendations will help reduce the risk of collecting blood and blood components from donors who may be infected with the Zika virus," Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.

While there have been no reports to date of Zika virus entering the U.S. blood supply, the risk of blood transmission is considered likely based on the most current scientific evidence of how Zika virus and similar viruses are spread and recent reports of transfusion-associated infection outside of the U.S., the FDA said.

Another reason is that about four out of five of those infected with Zika virus do not become symptomatic, it added.

The FDA also said it will issue a guidance that will address appropriate donor deferral measures for human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products, given recent reports of sexual transmission of the virus.

The agency said it's also prioritizing the development of blood screening and diagnostic tests that may be useful for identifying the presence of the virus, preparing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of investigational vaccines and therapeutics that might be developed, and reviewing technology that may help suppress populations of the mosquitoes that can spread the virus. Enditem