A new system has been introduced to monitor donated blood in response to concerns about the possibility of newly emerging viruses making their way to the UK. Health experts are worried that certain diseases not currently found in the UK could become a threat in the future due to the effects of climate change.
Researchers from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) will be examining samples from blood donors for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), West Nile virus, and Usutu virus. While there have been no human cases of Usutu or West Nile viruses reported in the UK, Usutu has been identified in birds and mosquitoes capable of spreading West Nile virus have been detected in the south of England.
TBEV has been found in a small number of ticks in the UK, and there have been four reported cases of TBEV infection believed to have been acquired from a tick bite in the UK. This new initiative aims to enhance surveillance and early detection of infectious diseases that may threaten blood safety due to climate change impacts.
Heli Harvala, a consultant medical virologist for NHS Blood and Transplant, emphasized the importance of targeted sampling of blood donors to prepare for potential infectious disease threats. Dr. Amanda Semper from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) highlighted that this program will strengthen surveillance efforts and serve as an early warning system for new infections.
The project will involve taking 5,000 blood samples from willing donors in the coming months. These samples will undergo analysis for viruses, and the donors’ travel history, exposure to potential infections, and vaccination status will be considered. The “Codonet” blood sample archive will be managed by NHSBT in Oxford and will collaborate with UKHSA surveillance programs to track the spread of these infections in the population.
To learn more about blood donation, individuals can visit blood.co.uk, use the GiveBloodNHS app, or contact 0300 123 23 23. This new monitoring system reflects a proactive approach to safeguarding blood safety and public health in the face of evolving infectious disease risks associated with climate change.
