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(HealthDay) – Individual blood donations will no longer need to be tested for Zika virus, according to the Food and Drug United States Administration.
"When the Zika virus first appeared, the unknown evolution of the epidemic and the severe observed effects of the disease indicated that individual tests were necessary to ensure the safety of the virus. "Blood Supply," Peter Marks, Ph.D., director of the FDA's Center for Evaluation and Research on Biologics, explained in a press release from the agency. "Now, given the significant decrease in cases of Zika virus infection in the United States and its territories, we avoid testing each individual donation to test group donations."
Grouped donation tests are considered lighter and more expensive -effective for blood establishments. However, the FDA will continue to monitor the situation closely and, if necessary, reconsider the measures necessary to maintain the safety of the blood supply.
To find out more:
First test to detect Zika in approved blood donations
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