Current U.S. blood supply adequate to meet need in Zika-affected U.S. territories

The current blood supply in the continental U.S. is adequate to meet the transfusion needs of hospital patients in U.S. territories with active Zika virus transmission, the AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism announced yesterday. The Food and Drug Administration recently recommended curtailing local blood donations in U.S. territories with active Zika virus transmission until a screening test or pathogen reduction technology is available in those areas. Meanwhile, blood centers in the continental U.S. are providing blood products to hospitals and blood centers in the affected territories. “The blood community is committed to ensuring a coordinated response to U.S. territories with active transmission of Zika virus, and will continue to provide updates should additional blood supplies be required,” said Task Force Chair Dennis Todd. AHA is a member of the task force, which works to ensure safe and adequate blood product inventories in preparation for and response to disasters. For more on the Zika virus, visit www.cdc.gov/zika and www.aha.org/zika.