Some donors asked to wait before rolling up their sleeves at Valley blood banks

In what they’re calling a “proactive stance” against the Zika virus, LifeStream blood bank is asking people who’ve been in the most affected countries to refrain from giving blood immediately on their return.

LifeStream serves hospitals in the Coachella Valley, as well as other parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

The affected travel areas include Mexico, the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico), Central America, South America, Samoa (Polynesia) and Cape Verde (off the West Africa coast).

People who have traveled to those countries are being asked to wait 28 days after returning from their trips before donating blood because there is no test to screen donors who may have been exposed to the virus.

“In order to protect the local blood supply, we feel it is prudent to request that our donors take the step of self-deferral,” said Joe Chaffin, MD,LifeStream’s vice president/chief medical officer, in a news release obtained by CBS Local 2/KESQ. “We appreciate their understanding and their commitment to ensuring a safe blood supply.”

The Zika virus is spread through mosquito bites and could be transmitted through blood transfusion.

For more information, call 800-879-4484 or click here.