FDA: All Blood Centers Must Screen for Zika

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it will require all U.S. blood centers to screen for Zika, the agency announced on Friday. The policy is meant to protect the nation's blood supply from the mosquito-borne virus, which can be transmitted via sex and bodily fluids, including blood. The guidelines previously were only enforced in Puerto Rico and two counties in Florida. According to ABC News, last month, blood centers in Fort Lauderdale and Miami were forced to temporarily reject new blood until they had enacted a system to screen the donations. The order came after reports of local Zika transmission in the Miami area—which has now been confirmed. The sites were already mandated to test for the West Nile virus, hepatitis, and HIV.

Well that is certainly a good thing.  Although now that I think about I hope that it is not a big waste of money, but I guess when it comes to our health we can never be too careful.  I do remember hearing a lot about its presence in Florida and other places in the south, but maybe it is getting worse than I thought it was.  It should be interesting to see where it goes from here, and thanks for sharing.