JACKSON, Miss.- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has urged all blood banks to test received blood for traces of Zika Virus.
While the virus is primarily transmitted through mosquitoes, it has turned out it can also be passed through infected blood, or sexually transmitted.
The FDA has released an official advisory recommending universal testing of donated Whole Blood and blood components for Zika Virus.
“There is still much uncertainty regarding the nature and extent of Zika virus transmission,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “At this time, the recommendation for testing the entire blood supply will help ensure that safe blood is available for the individuals who might need transfusion.”
Due to the potentially serious health risks the virus causes for pregnant women, the FDA has updated its guidance after scientific evaluation.
The virus is primarily transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. Four out of five people who are infected do not ever show symptoms of infection.
So far Mississippi has had only travel-related cases in the year 2016.
