APPLETON, Wis-- The Community Blood Center began testing all blood donations for the Zika virus on November, 11th. Because of this, the waiting period for donors after visiting an active Zika area has been removed. Previously, people were not allowed to donate blood if they had been to areas with active Zika virus transmission, or if they were potentially exposed to the virus.
“This additional test allows us to welcome back donors who had traveled to an active Zika area and were deferred,” said Kris Belanger, Vice President, Donor Services.
Wisconsin has seen zero locally-acquired cases of Zika, and 49 travel-associated cases. To date, the CDC reports that there have not been any confirmed blood transfusion transmission cases in the U.S.
The virus, which results in mild symptoms of fever, rash, joint pain or conjunctivitis, poses most threat to pregnant women.
Zika is spread mostly by the bite of two mosquito species which carry the virus. In addition to mosquito-borne transmission, Zika can also be transmitted from mother to fetus, through sex, blood transfusion or laboratory exposure.
