On July 29, Florida officials confirmed four individuals in Miami-Dade and Broward counties that have been infected with the Zika virus by local mosquitoes, the first known case of the virus being transmitted by mosquitoes in the continental United States. Blood donor centers across the country, including Blood Assurance, have been advised by the FDA to defer blood donors who have travelled to these counties during the previous four week period. Blood Assurance expects the deferral rate to increase and asks community members who have not travelled to this region to please consider donating blood immediately to help sustain the local blood supply.
“Unfortunately, beaches are a hot vacation spot in the summer, and we expect many of our regular blood donors to have recently travelled to that region, making them ineligible to donate blood for up to four weeks,” said Dr. Liz Culler, medical director for Blood Assurance. “We critically need people in the community who have not travelled there to step up and help us meet our need for blood which has been at an extreme low throughout the summer months.”
The FDA will continue to monitor this potential outbreak in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Florida State public health authorities and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids - avoiding caffeine - and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.
While donor appointments are not required, they are encouraged and may be completed atwww.bloodassurance.org/appt. For more information on Blood Assurance, donating blood or hosting a blood drive, please visit www.bloodassurance.org or call 1-800-962-0628.