FDA sets guidelines to protect blood supply from Zika

WASHINGTON – The Food and Drug Administration is recommending U.S. blood banks refuse donations from people who have travelled to countries where the Zika virus is active in the prior four weeks, part of guidelines meant to protect the blood supply from the mosquito-borne virus.

The agency is also recommending establishments turn away donors who may have had sexual contact with someone who has traveled to a Zika-affected country in the last three months. The recommendations follow similar measures taken earlier this month by the Red Cross, which has asked travelers to Zika outbreak countries to wait at least 28 days before donating blood.

Canadian blood officials have already taken similar steps, deferring donations from people who have travelled outside of Canada, the continental United States and Europe.