The FDA is advising U.S. blood banks screen all blood donations for the Zika virus, according to NPR.
Here are five highlights:
1. In February, the agency's recommendation included areas with active Zika transmission.
2. The FDA has since expanded its recommendation after new scientific and epidemiological information emerged around the virus which made the precautionary measures necessary.
3. The FDA is recommending 11 states begin testing within the next month as those states have instances where Zika is actively spreading by mosquitoes or where there is a substantial number of Zika cases related to other exposures. Such states include Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina and Texas.
4. The remaining U.S. states should begin testing blood donations for Zika within a 12-week time frame.
5. The CDC has not yet found any cases of Zika related to U.S. blood transfusions. However, the FDA is issuing the recommendation as researchers do not know Zika's full impact.
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