They’re also looking into technology that would stop mosquitoes from breeding, to prevent Zika and other diseases from spreading. And speaking about the new recommendations, Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s biologics division says that they are optimistic that they will facilitate in lessening the risk of collecting blood and blood components from donors.
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If you’re thinking about donating blood and have traveled recently to areas affected by the Zika virus, federal officials are saying hold off.
Brazil is investigating the potential link between Zika infections and more than 4,300 suspected cases of microcephaly, a condition marked by abnormally small head size that can result in developmental problems.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, February 17, released its initial response plan to the Zika virus outbreak, launching a funding appeal for the $56 million (50 million euros) operation. More than 200,000 army, navy and air force troops are fanning out across Brazil to show people how to eliminate the Aedes aegypti mosquito that spreads the Zika virus, which many health officials believe is linked to severe birth defects. The studies on the virus would take nearly a year or half to reveal any possibility of transmission of microcephaly through blood transfusion. Very few of the microcephaly cases can be attributed to causes other than Zika, after extensive analyses and testing, the health ministry said.
Protection from mosquito bites and the elimination of mosquito breeding sites was also emphasised‚ Mr Maila said.
The doctor argued that the Zika virus is not the one to blame. In Latin America, the virus infected people are showing mild or no symptoms at all.
The country’s largest blood collection organization, the American Red Cross, had already issued donation guidelines to protect against Zika entering its blood supply.
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The latest report, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, details two cases of women aged 27 and 35 from north-east Brazil. The guidance extends to asymptomatic travelers returning from Zika-endemic countries since 80% of individuals who become infected are asymptomatic. While the women’s blood and urine samples tested negative for Zika, their amniotic fluid tested positive for the virus genome and for Zika antibodies.
