ACTION:

• Question the donor and confirm if they have travelled to an area at-risk of Zika Virus by checking the list of countries and associated travel risks

         NB Stopovers must be included in at-risk areas

• Question the donor to determine if they have had any symptoms suggestive of Zika during their visit or following their return

 ACCEPT:

• If donor’s sexual partner was in a Zika risk area and both the donor and their partner have no symptoms
• If it is a once off partner and the donor does not know whether the partner went to an at-risk area or if the partner had signs and symptoms of Zika Virus infection – apply the criteria for a once off sexual encounter and accept or defer as appropriate

 DEFER

• for 28 days from date of leaving the area if the donor was not diagnosed with Zika Virus infection and did not have symptoms suggestive of Zika Virus infection
• For 180 days from the date of complete recovery if the donor was diagnosed with Zika virus infection
• for 180 days from the date of complete recovery if the donor had symptoms suggestive of Zika Virus infection (even if they did not seek medical advice)
• for 4 weeks from the last sexual contact if the donor had sex with a MALE who has Zika Virus infection or symptoms suggestive of Zika Virus Infection in the last 3 months
• for 4 months if the  donor has ongoing sexual contact with a MALE (3 months deferral from the time the donor’s sexual partner fully recovered plus 28 days)
• for 4 weeks from the last sexual contact if the donor had sex with a FEMALE who has Zika Virus infection or symptoms suggestive of Zika Virus Infection in the last 8 weeks
• for 12 weeks if the  donor has ongoing sexual contact with a FEMALE (8 weeks deferral from the time the donor’s sexual partner fully recovered plus 28 days)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Zika Virus is a virus that is spread through the bite of mosquitoes. Zika virus can also be transmitted human to human through sexual contact. Infection with Zika Virus can cause a mild illness that typically lasts between 2 and 7 days. Symptoms include: mild fever, muscle or joint pains, headache, itchy rash and conjunctivitis (sore eye). The time between being bitten by a mosquito and developing symptoms is usually 3 to 12 days. 80% of people who become infected with the Zika Virus have no symptoms. Infection with the virus can cause a serious birth condition called microcephaly, where a baby is born with an unusually small head.

Zika Virus is spread when an infected mosquito bites a person. It can also be spread from a mother to her baby during pregnancy and from an infected person to their sexual partner during sex and by blood transfusions.

If the Zika Virus at-risk area is also a Malaria or Tropical at risk area, the donor will not be deferred for Zika – unless they had symptoms suggestive of Zika Virus Infection.