ECDC Report Focuses on Transmission of Tick-Borne Encephalitis via SoHO

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) released a report last week on the potential transmission of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) through substances of human origin (SoHO), including blood, organs, tissues and cells. The report also proposes possible safety measures to mitigate the risk.

While TBEV transmission through SoHO is rare, the report outlines two confirmed cases via blood transfusion and three via organ transplantation. To mitigate risks, the ECDC suggests measures such as deferring blood donors with recent tick bites, testing donors for TBEV and increasing vaccination rates in endemic areas. The report concludes that further research is needed to address uncertainties surrounding asymptomatic infections and viral transmission through SoHO.