The AABB is continuing to respond to risks to the national blood supply resulting from the Zika virus outbreak. Zika virus is typically carried by Aedes mosquitos commonly found in the Caribbean, South America, and Central America, as well as areas in the southern United States. Symptoms of Zika virus normally resemble other illnesses, including rashes and flu-like symptoms; approximately 80% of Zika infections are asymptomatic. However, in recent months outbreaks of Zika virus have been connected to increasing rates of microcephaly, a condition that is associated with infants being born with under-developed brains and having heads smaller than expected.
According to the AABB Association Bulletin #16-03 “The risk posed by Zika virus to the blood supply is unclear, but the potential for transfusion transmission of Zika virus was suggested when 2.8% of blood donors tested positive for Zika RNA during the French Polynesian outbreak.” In order to protect the blood supply from Zika virus, the AABB has implemented new guidelines that require individuals to self-defer from donations until 28 days after travel to Zika infection regions, including Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. In addition, any donor that starts to exhibit symptoms of Zika virus within 14 days of donation is required to report their symptoms to their collection site. In these cases any related blood products will be recalled or quarantined. Based on estimates from the AABB, self-deferrals will affect 2-3% of potential donors based on travel outside the United States during the winter months when donations are most needed. This means that centers around the country will be asking potential donors that have not traveled to affected regions to help fill any gaps in the blood supply. Although some pathogen reduction methods used in blood centers have shown antiviral affect in platelets and plasma, there are currently no approved antiviral methods or screening tests for Zika virus. Related to blood donation policies, Dr. Steven Kleinman, AABB’s Senior Medical Advisor, stated, “The FDA is still considering what to do about the Zika virus, and considering whether they want to make any binding recommendations.”
Additional information can be found in the AABB Association Bulletin #16-03 - Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya Viruses. The AABB is also hosting a Hot Topic Audioconference, Reducing the Risk of Transfusion-Transmitted Zika Virus in US/Canada, on February 17, 2016.
