Zika virus and safe blood supply: Questions and answers

Zika virus may present a risk to blood safety. Currently there is a limited knowledge of Zika virus and the ways it can be transmitted. The majority of cases are transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, Aedes mosquitos. Until more is known about other means of transmission, precautions should be taken to ensure the supply of blood is safe. Ideally the blood supply during a regional outbreak of Zika should be maintained by increasing blood collections in non-affected areas. In non-affected areas, consideration may be given to defer potential donors who have recently visited areas with ongoing transmission of Zika virus infection for 28 days after their departure from these areas.
Source: WHO news on Zika virus - Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: blood safety [subject], safe blood, emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, infectious disease [subject], communicable diseases, tropical disease [subject], zika, zika, zika Source Type: news