Tropical Viruses - plasmapheresis donors

Chikungunya Virus, also known as CHIKV

Dengue Virus, also known as Dengue Fever

Yellow Fever, also known as YF

Zika Virus, also known as ZIKV, and Zika Virus Fever

This entry only applies for donors who will only donate plasma for fractionation. It should not be used for donors who will donate whole blood, platelets and other cellular components.

Tropical Virus Endemic Areas are shown in the 'Geographical Disease Risk Index' (GDRI) which includes details of the specific viral risks present.

Must not donate if:
a) It is less than six months from a donor's return from a Yellow Fever risk area and the donor has been diagnosed with Yellow Fever whilst there or following their return to the UK.

b) It is less than six months from a donor's return from a Tropical Virus Risk endemic area and the donor has either had a history of symptoms suggestive of Yellow Fever whilst there or following their return to the UK.

c) The donor was diagnosed with Chikungunya Virus, Dengue Virus or Zika Virus infection and the donor has not fully recovered from their illness.

If the donor has returned from a Chikungunya Virus, Dengue Virus or Zika Virus risk area and the donor is well, accept.

If it more than 28 days since the donor has returned from a Yellow Fever risk area, and the donor has been well while there and after their return to the UK, accept.

Infection – General
Malaria
South American Trypanosomiasis
The 'Geographical Disease Risk Index'

Chikungunya, Dengue, Yellow Fever and Zika virus are spread by the day-flying mosquito species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. As these mosquitos are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, the main geographical areas affected by tropical virus infection are the Caribbean, South and Central America, Mexico, Africa, the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Indian sub-continent, Hawaii and northern parts of Australia. The range of Aedes albopictus is also increasing into more temperate zones leading to outbreaks of tropical virus disease in new areas. There have been outbreaks of Dengue and Chikungunya in parts of Europe.

Chikungunya is an alpha virus that can cause a wide spectrum of disease. This may range from no or minimal symptoms to death. Most commonly it causes arthritis (typically in the knee, ankle and small joints of the extremities), high fever and a maculopapular rash.

Chikungunya virus is found in countries in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and in the islands of the Caribbean. There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission except through blood transfer. Transfusion-transmission from an asymptomatic individual has not been documented. Nevertheless, restrictions after travel to a Chikungunya virus risk area were introduced to reduce any risk of transmission through blood or tissue donation.

Dengue Virus is a flavivirus that typically gives rise to abrupt high fever with a range of accompanying symptoms. Dengue fever (DF) is the most common insect-borne disease worldwide.  Dengue is currently considered endemic in approximately 140 countries. Transfusion-transmission has been reported.

Overall, up to 75% of cases are asymptomatic or mild. If symptoms occur, they can range from non-specific acute febrile illness to severe disease including dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. Mild cases may be misdiagnosed as other febrile illnesses.

Yellow Fever Virus is a flavivirus which is found in Africa, South America, Central America and parts of the Caribbean. Symptoms of Yellow Fever include high temperature, headache, nausea and vomiting, muscle pains and backache. One in four individuals may suffer from jaundice and bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract and other sites. 

Zika Virus is a flavivirus which was known to occur in Africa and parts of Southeast Asia. More recently, Zika Virus has been associated with epidemic outbreaks in the Pacific region and in the Americas. As well as mosquito-borne infection, Zika Virus can be spread through sexual transmission. Infection is usually asymptomatic or presents as a mild self-limiting febrile illness. More severe disease and hospitalisation are rare but infection during pregnancy carries a high risk of congenital abnormalities in the baby. Zika Virus infection may be mistaken for Chikungunya or Dengue infections as these viruses often co-circulate.

The processes used to fractionate plasma include several measures that inactivate or remove viruses. This means that some travel risks described in the GDRI do not need to be applied for donors who will only donate plasma for fractionation.

This is a new entry.