Tomasz Gierygowski/Hemera/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is recommending that all donated blood and blood components in the U.S. be tested for the Zika virus as an extra safety measure.
The recommendation comes after dozens of non-travel related cases of Zika have been identified in Florida.
“There is still much uncertainty regarding the nature and extent of Zika virus transmission,” Director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Dr. Peter Marks said. “At this time, the recommendation for testing the entire blood supply will help ensure that safe blood is available for all individuals who might need transfusion.”
In February, the FDA recommended testing donated blood and blood components in areas with active Zika virus transmission. So far, the agency says, all areas with active transmission are currently in compliance with that guidance.
Dr. Luciana Borio, the FDA’s acting chief scientist, said that as the agency gets new scientific information about the disease, additional precautionary measures become necessary.
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
