“Though there is more to be learned about the transmission of Zika virus, given what we know about the virus at this point, which also is informed by our understanding of similar viruses, we must address the potential risk of Zika virus transmission by human cells and tissues,” said Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
Grounded in the CDC’s confirmation of sexually transmitted Zika cases and the 10-week potential lifespan of Zika in semen, the FDA recommends that donors be ineligible for six months if they were infected with the virus, recently traveled to an area with active Zika transmission or had sex with a male displaying either of those risk factors. The six month ineligibility recommendation applies to deceased donors as well.
As more information regarding Zika transmission through tissue donation becomes available, the FDA will evaluate said information and its potential association with transmission risk.
More articles on Zika:
HHS approves emergency use of Zika antibody diagnostic test
5 more Zika cases in Florida bring state total to 42
Chicago’s first Zika virus case confirmed
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