A test for West Nile Virus (WNV) is to be introduced for certain blood donors in England and North Wales. Blood from donors who have returned from countries where WNV is prevalent will now be tested.
This will allow immediate donation following a visit to those affected countries. Previously donors had to wait 28 days before donating, after returning from a country where WNV is endemic. These include the USA, Canada, Italy, mainland Greece, Romania, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Albania, Israel and some areas of Russia. The move will help to ensure the safety and sufficiency of the blood supply.
