November 25, 2024
The United Kingdom’s NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) introduced a new warning system this month to identify emerging infectious diseases that could reach the country due to climate change. As part of the system, NHSBT will collect 5,000 samples from consenting blood donors to detect tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV).
While no human cases of Usutu or WNV have been reported in the U.K., Usutu has been found in birds, and mosquitos capable of spreading WNV were recently detected in Southern England. NHSBT and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have identified these viruses as potential risks.
Samples archived at NHSBT’s Oxford center, in collaboration with the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory and the NIHR-funded Blood and Transplant Unit in Genomics, will integrate with donor and UKHSA surveillance data. This effort aims to enhance preparedness and enable faster safety measures if these viruses emerge.
Additional information about TBEV, WNV and USUV is available in AABB’s Emerging Infectious Diseases Fact Sheets.