JAIPUR: With 72 cases of Zika already having been reported in the city, there are higher chances of transfusion of infected blood through blood transfusion. Blood banks across the city and adjoining districts have been directed to conduct screening of donors before collecting blood from them. One of the routes of transmission of Zika virus is blood transfusion.Team from the Centre reached Jaipur for helping state government in preventing spread of Zika virus disease. They have expressed concern on the possibility of infected blood transfusion. Acting on the advice of the team, health department has issued a letter mentioning that prior check for the virus is required before accepting blood from any prospective donor.The letter added that a meeting was held under the chairpersonship of additional chief secretary (health) Veenu Gupta to review status and preparedness against Zika virus disease and also a discussion was held on observations and recommendation given by central team. “Screening for Zika virus disease before accepting blood from any donor is very important,” the letter said issued by additional director (rural health) Dr Ravi Prakash Mathur.“You are requested to follow guidelines to select donor by blood banks in Jaipur and adjoining districts. As per national guidelines, all blood banks in Jaipur and adjoining districts should strictly adhere to the donor selection criteria and do screening for Zika virus disease before accepting blood from any donor,” said the letter.Mathur further added in the letter that blood banks should not accept blood from any donor till two weeks following complete recovery from any viral infection and cessation of any therapy/medication for the same.However, blood banks in the city have also started conducting screening of donor for Zika. “Before collecting blood from donors, we are conducting screening of donors. We ask certain questions to identify if the donor was infected with Zika virus,” said Dr SS Yadav, spokesperson, Sawai Man Singh Hospital.However, blood banks across the city are taking precautions. “We take all measures before providing blood to the needy patients. We conduct test for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, VDRL and malaria. Now, we have started conducting screening for Zika,” said Dr SS Agarwal, former president Indian Medical Association and patron of Rajasthan Blood Bank Society.He said that Zika is primarily spread though bite of infected mosquito. He said that Zika can be prevented by keeping the Zika patient in mosquito-free environment.

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