DeLauro Statement on Zika Blood Screening Recommendations

WASHINGTON, DC (August 26, 2016) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today commended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for revising blood screening recommendations to call for universal testing of donated blood for the Zika virus in the U.S. and its territories. DeLauro recently called on the FDA to update these guidelines in light of the rapid spread of the Zika virus across the U.S.

"The FDA's new recommendations are a strong step forward in protecting our nation's blood supply and the American people. As the Zika virus continues to spread throughout the U.S. and its territories, we must do everything we can to respond to this public health emergency and save lives. Recently, I wrote to the FDA to call on them to test for the Zika virus in blood donations and I am extremely grateful that they took this action," said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. "Speaker Ryan and House Republicans must immediately return to Washington, build on these efforts, and fully fund a robust response to the Zika virus. Every day, we learn more and more about the devastating effects of this disease and we must do our job and protect the American people."

In July, DeLauro and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) wrote to the FDA to call on the agency to test blood donations for the Zika virus. "As you are aware, many blood donors would have no way of knowing they carried the Zika virus, since eighty percent of those infected are asymptomatic, and many others have only mild symptoms," DeLauro and Doggett wrote.

"We must implement universal screening now to prevent contamination of the blood supply before it occurs. The cost of testing is less than $10 per blood donor—a small amount, when compared to the millions of dollars required for the lifetime care of a single infant born with microcephaly or the effects of a nationwide blood shortage," the letter concluded.

As of this week, there have been more than 11,500 cases of the Zika virus reported in the U.S. and its territories, including nearly 1,400 expectant mothers. These cases are likely vastly underreported, as only 1 in 5 people experience symptoms from the Zika virus. According to the FDA, the blood testing will start immediately in states most affected by the Zika virus, with a national rollout soon to follow.

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