Surveillance for bloodborne infections

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Blood Safety

Background:

• The U.S. blood supply is highly safe due to donor screening and viral inactivation.
• Vulnerabilities persist due to evolving human behaviors, demographics, technology, and microbial changes.
• Emerging infectious diseases pose a continuous threat to blood product safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the ongoing need for robust strategies to maintain blood supply safety.
• To emphasize the importance of surveillance in combating emerging infectious diseases transmitted via blood.
• To outline the CDC's strategic focus on blood-transmitted diseases.

Main Methods:

• Implementing comprehensive donor history and screening, including nucleic acid testing (HCV, HIV).
• Utilizing viral inactivation methods for plasma derivatives.
• Integrating enhanced surveillance with epidemiology and laboratory sciences.

Main Results:

• Significant declines in transfusion-transmitted infections have been achieved.
• The blood supply remains susceptible to novel and re-emerging pathogens.
• Enhanced surveillance is identified as a key strategy against emerging threats.

Conclusions:

• Continued efforts in screening, inactivation, and surveillance are essential for blood safety.
• A multi-disciplinary approach integrating epidemiology and laboratory sciences is vital.
• Enhanced surveillance is a cornerstone for protecting the national blood supply.