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Officials suspend blood donations in response to chikungunya outbreak in Italy
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The National Center for Blood of the Higher Health Institute in Italy has suspended donations of blood and blood components in one municipality of Rome and the coastal area of Anzio after health officials detected 17 autochthonous cases of chikungunya in the areas, according to country’s ministry of health.
To date, 10 cases of chikungunya were confirmed in Anzio and seven in the territory of ASL Rome 2. The first case related to the outbreak was identified on August 5, according to WHO.
Residents and visitors of the affected areas are not permitted to donate blood or blood components for at least 28 days. The National Blood Center reported that 849 blood units from 10 regions have already been made available to cover any shortages. According to the center, an estimated 15,000 units of blood are collected in the regions per month.
WHO reported that additional disinfestation and vector control measures have also been implemented in Anzio and Rome. Because chikungunya vectors, particularly Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, are established throughout the Mediterranean basin, WHO stressed that there is a risk for further transmission. In 2007, 217 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported during an outbreak in the Emilia Romagna region of northeastern Italy. – by Stephanie Viguers