The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), says that there have not been any cases of dengue fever spread through blood transfusions in Taiwan.
An outbreak of dengue fever has been ongoing in southern Taiwan for several months. Studies by Taiwanese universities have shown that dengue fever can survive for over six months in human blood.
There have been reports in Taiwan’s media that infected blood donated in the south could spread north through transfusions. CDC deputy head Chou Chih-hao said Monday that while dengue fever can be transmitted this way, repeated testing has not turned up any trace of the dengue virus in Taiwan’s blood banks.
"There were five patients thought to have contracted dengue fever through blood transfusions. However, thorough and repeated testing of the remaining blood in our blood banks has not found the dengue virus," Chou said. "We can rule out the possibility that dengue fever was spread through blood transfusions. The blood in blood banks is safe."
Taiwan Blood Services Foundation Director Wei Sheng-tang says that outdoor blood donation services have been suspended since the dengue outbreak began. The foundation has also been running a more thorough health check for donors and encouraging those who have already donated to call back in if they feel any symptoms of dengue fever. The foundation will also collaborate with the CDC to decide whether to include a dengue virus check in the donor screening process.