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CBC sets 28-day delay for travelers to Zika
endemic areas
DAYTON, Ohio - Community Blood Center is beginning new restrictions on
blood donations in response to concerns about transmission of the Zika
virus. Beginning Monday, Feb. 15 any potential donor who has traveled
to Zika endemic areas will be deferred from donating for 28 days after
leaving those areas.
Zika endemic areas include the Caribbean, Mexico and Central or South
America. CBC will administer this new restriction in the same
manner it handles questions about other travel deferments during the
standard screening process.
“Zika virus may be transmitted by transfusion and there is no test to
screen blood donors,” said CBC Medical Director Dr. James Alexander.
“We know the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently discussing
official guidance about donors who have traveled to these regions.
Until that guidance is available, we are taking this cautionary step.”
CBC is using the same caution as many other blood banks nationwide in
deferring donors until 28 days after travel to Mexico, the Caribbean,
or Central or South America. It is expected to result in the loss
of approximately 2.25 percent of otherwise acceptable donors during the
winter months when such travel is more common than in the summer months.
“This cautionary restriction comes during the heart of winter, the cold
and flu season, and as we saw this week, winter weather that can make
travel difficult,” said Dr. Alexander. “If you’re healthy and are not
affected by this post-travel waiting period, please make an appointment
to donate when you are able.”
The World Health Organization issued an international state of
emergency on Feb. 1 as concerns mounted over the spread of Zika virus
throughout South and Central America, particularly in Brazil where it
is suspected that the virus is causing an uptick in a rare birth defect
called microcephaly.
For more information donors can email CBC at canidonate@givingblood.org
or call (937) 461-3450.
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