Photo credit: cdc.gov
In the United States blood system, if the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) determines that one or more countries are experiencing widespread transmission of the Ebola virus, specific Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance should be implemented in order to protect the blood supply. This guidance includes information related to donation, such as donor educational material, screening questions, and deferral recommendations. In addition, it includes product related guidance, such as retrieval, quarantine, notification, and deviation reporting. It also discusses investigational treatment that has been conducted with convalescent plasma.
The CDC reports on ongoing outbreaks as well as widespread transmission of Ebola virus. In the event that widespread transmission develops, it will add this information to the Ebola Virus Disease page on its website. AABB monitors the CDC reports and offers resources that would help blood centers in the event of widespread transmission. (As of this writing, while there is an ongoing outbreak of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, widespread transmission has not developed.)
Resources from AABB that are available for blood centers during a widespread transmission event are as follows:
- An analysis of the FDA guidance
- A resource that explains FDA expectations for implementing Ebola guidance - Evaluating Donors for Risk of Ebola Virus Infection
- Examples to help develop additional donor educational materials
- Ebola questions and flowcharts to assist in the screening process
Helmer Scientific supports blood centers and hospitals, the patients they serve, and their efforts to keep the blood supply safe. We have offered high quality blood storage equipment for 40 years and are here to help you to properly store and monitor your blood products. To review the FDA’s Guidance for Industry entitled “Recommendations for Assessment of Blood Donor Eligibility, Donor Deferral and Blood Product Management in Response to Ebola Virus,” click the link below:
