South Africa: SANBS changes donor criteria over Zika virus

MBOMBELA – The Zika virus is not endemic to South Africa, but the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is taking note and has adjusted its donor criteria. SANBS announced that, in an effort to proactively ensure no blood recipients are exposed to the Zika virus, blood donors who travelled to certain countries will not be allowed to donate blood within 28 days of returning to South Africa.
Although not life-threatening, there is a concern that Zika is causing serious brain injury to babies whose mothers have been infected during pregnancy. Up to 80 per cent of people infected with the virus may have no symptoms at all, but there is concern that it can be transmitted via blood. “The safety of our blood donors and recipients are of utmost importance and the deferral has been put in place for that exact reason,” SANBS said in a statement. The national blood service says there are concerns that Zika can be transmitted via blood and the safety of their blood for recipients comes first.