FDA issues guidance to reduce the risk for Zika virus blood transmission

FDA issued on Tuesday new recommendations to reduce the risk of Zika virus blood transmission for individuals who have been to areas with active Zika virus transmission. “FDA has critical responsibilities in outbreak situations and has been working rapidly to take important steps to respond to the emerging Zika virus outbreak,” said Luciana Borio, MD, FDA’s acting chief scientist. “We are issuing this guidance for immediate implementation in order to better protect the U.S. blood supply.” There have been no reports of Zika virus entering the U.S.