FDA has approved the first test to detect Zika virus RNA in donated whole blood, blood components, and living organ donors. This test may be pivotal to prevent Zika virus transmission through infected blood. Zika virus is a public health emergency. Zika fever is a mosquito-transmitted disease caused by Zika virus. The Zika virus is also transmitted by blood transfusion and sexual contact.
Zika virus infection causes a serious neurological disease in adults, and infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects. Till now, there is no vaccine or specific treatment. Therefore, preventing the spread of this severe infection is crucial. This qualitative nucleic acid test detects Zika virus RNA in individual plasma specimens obtained from donors of whole blood and blood components and from living organ donors. However, it is intended for use by blood collection establishments and not…
