Upstate blood bank explains how it keeps supply safe from Ebola
Posted: Oct 08, 2014 9:15 PM PDT Updated: Oct 09, 2014 3:25 AM PDT
By Dana WachterCONNECT
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http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/26...s-how-it-keeps-blood-supply-safe-from-ebolale Ustate ß(NC)
A Greenville man said he donated to the Blood Connection on Woodruff Road last week, but he couldn't believe that they didn't ask him about potential visits to West Africa.
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The virus passes through bodily fluids, especially blood, which is why the man was concerned.
“I said, 'What if I had told you five minutes ago that I just came back from Liberia two weeks ago? Would you still take my blood?' They said, 'By law, I would take blood; I would have to,'” said the man, who wants to remain anonymous.
He said the phlebotomist told him he would flag the blood with comments on why it shouldn't be used, which had the man thinking it would be simple for someone who visited Africa in the recent past, to give blood.
Blood Connection managers said it's not that simple, and that the information the man was given, isn't right. Before anyone can give blood, they're asked a lot of personal questions, including where they have traveled lately.
Staff said, at this point, they have not been directed by the Food and Drug Administration to test specifically for Ebola, but they are doing everything they can to keep it out of the blood supply. Along with a mini-physical and health check, their screening test asks people if they've been out of the country in the past three years.
Blood Connection staff said if someone has, the questions get more detailed. If West Africa comes up, the person won't be allowed to donate. Donna Ehrlich, communications manager at the bank, said the FDA has already directed blood banks not to take blood from places with a malaria threat, which includes Africa.
She said this covers the threat of Ebola, too. The medical director of the blood connection, Dr. Robert Rainer, said that blood donation in the U.S. is incredibly regulated and that the FDA meets regularly to discuss current concerns.
“This came out of the HIV issue in the 1980's where basically it got into the blood supply, and we learned our lesson,” Rainer said.
The blood itself is screened too. Four vials of blood goes through testing for infectious disease like hepatitis, HIV, syphilis and the West Nile Virus. Rainer said they're extra careful about potential risk factors and aren't afraid to turn more potential blood donors away to keep the blood supply safe.
Because Ebola is a one in 300 million chance right now, Rainer said regulatory agencies haven't told blood banks to test specifically for it. While donating blood, Ehrlich said that there is no way for people to contract anything from other people.
Rainer said
the center needs people to be honest in answering questions about health and travel.
READ MORE: Continuing coverage of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, U.S. case
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