Important Information for Blood Establishments Regarding the Oropouche Virus and Blood Donation
Date: September 13, 2024
In August 2024, CDC issued a health advisory to notify clinicians and public health authorities of an increase in Oropouche virus (OROV) disease in the Americas region that includes endemic areas in the Amazon basin and new areas in South America and the Caribbean. Cases of OROV disease have recently been identified in U.S. travelers returning from areas experiencing outbreaks including Cuba (CDC MMWR, 08/27/24). There are no reports of transmission of OROV in the U.S. and the number of cases among U.S. travelers is low. FDA, CDC and other federal agencies continue to monitor OROV disease in U.S. travelers.
Background:
OROV is transmitted by biting insects (midges) and certain mosquito species. Approximately 60% of individuals infected with OROV will experience symptoms, including fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and joint pains. Other individuals infected with OROV do not experience symptoms. When they occur, symptoms are typically mild and self-limiting; however, there have been reports of severe illness and intrauterine transmission.
Worldwide, there have been no reports of transmission of OROV by transfusion of blood or blood components.
Considerations:
Routine measures used to screen every blood donor effectively prevent individuals with symptomatic infections from donating blood. For example, blood donors must be in good health and must have a normal temperature on the day of donation (21 CFR 630.10). These safeguards likely identify individuals who present to donate who may have symptoms of OROV disease or have been diagnosed with OROV disease. In addition, blood establishments typically instruct blood donors to report illnesses or symptoms that develop shortly after blood donation so that the blood establishment can assess if their donation is suitable for transfusion.
Taking into consideration the existing safeguards for blood safety, the current small number of OROV disease cases among U.S. travelers, and no reports of OROV transmission by blood and blood components, screening donors by asking them specific questions about exposure to OROV or travel to areas with OROV outbreaks is not warranted at this time. A screening test for OROV is not available.
The blood establishment responsible physician must determine donor eligibility and may wish to consider a short deferral (e.g., 4 weeks) if a donor volunteers that they were recently diagnosed with or have recovered from OROV disease.
FDA will continue to monitor cases of OROV disease in the U.S. and worldwide and will issue updated information as it becomes available.
Resources:
CDC: Morrison A, White JL, Hughes HR, et al. Oropouche Virus Disease Among U.S. Travelers — United States, 2024. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 27 August 2024. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7335e1