In:

Eurosurveillance

Authors:

D Musso, T Nhan, E Robin, C Roche, D Bierlaire, K Zisou, A Shan Yan, V M Cao-Lormeau, J Broult

Since October 2013, French Polynesia has experienced the largest documented outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKAV) infection. To prevent transmission of ZIKAV by blood transfusion, specific nucleic acid testing of blood donors was implemented. From November 2013 to February 2014: 42 (3%) of 1,505 blood donors, although asymptomatic at the time of blood dona- tion, were found positive for ZIKAV by PCR. Our results serve to alert blood safety authorities about the risk of post-transfusion Zika fever.

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