Blood donations to be screened for Zika virus

All blood donations may soon have to be screened for the Zika virus. The health consequences of the Zika virus to pregnant women and their children are so serious the FDA is saying that all blood donations in the U.S. and its territories must be tested for Zika.

Our local Lifestream blood bank held a meeting Friday discussing their new guidelines. They’ll now test all blood donors for the Zika virus, beginning no later than Friday, Sept. 23.

Donors will be given detailed information about the test prior to their donation. They will also be given the opportunity to ask questions about the Zika test. All donors 17 and under will need parental consent to donate blood.