As the threat of Zika transmission on U.S. soil escalates, federal officials are calling on blood banks nationwide to screen for the virus in donated blood.
Until now, only areas where Zika is known to be circulating – think south Florida and Puerto Rico – had to screen for the mosquito-borne disease. The new guidelines, issued today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, recommend blood banks in every U.S. state and territory implement a Zika screening process.
Why screen blood donations even from people living in low-risk states like North Dakota and Michigan? Because even though mosquitoes capable of transmitting Zika don’t fly that far north, the disease can be spread by sexual contact. Also, people who travel to Zika-infected areas such as South America, the Caribbean and more recently, Miami, could unknowingly contract the virus and return with it to their home state. If those people donate blood they could infect others.
The true extent of Zika infection within the U.S. population is difficult to estimate because 4 out of 5 people who contract the virus don’t even know they have it. Screening donated blood in all states and territories helps ensure the safety of the blood supply.
News about Zika continues to grow more alarming, particularly for pregnant women who risk giving birth to a baby with severe brain damage if they get the virus. A recent study suggests Zika could also harm adult brains, although research is at an early stage.
Zika has no cure and there is no vaccine for it, but scientists are working to change that. In the meantime, stay informed on Zika developments, brush up on mosquito-bite prevention and pay attention to federal travel warnings.
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