What to know
- Rarely, dengue virus can be spread through blood transfusions. However, the risk of dengue spreading through the blood supply is very low.
- Blood safety measures in the United States help reduce the risk of dengue spreading through transfusions.
- Although the U.S. blood supply is safer than ever, there is a small risk of infection from bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens with any transfusion.
- Currently, there are no dengue screenings or standardized deferral guidelines in the United States.
Overview
Most dengue virus infections are spread through mosquito bites. However, there have been rare cases of dengue virus spreading through blood transfusions. When they occur, these infections are typically mild or don’t cause any symptoms at all. Severe disease is rare in people infected with dengue virus through blood transfusions.
Risk in the United States
The risk of dengue virus spreading through the U.S. blood supply is very low. Dengue is rare in the continental United States, with most reported cases occurring in people who live in or travel to areas with risk of dengue.
It is highly unlikely that a blood donor in the continental United States would be infected with dengue virus. Because of the very low level of risk, the United States does not screen for dengue virus in blood donations or do dengue-specific deferrals.
Blood safety measures are regularly reviewed and adjusted as levels of risk change.
What blood donors should know
If you have had dengue before, you may still be eligible to donate blood after you have fully recovered. Follow the guidance of your blood donation center.
If you are sick or have had a recent fever, wait to donate blood. When you go to donate blood, tell the donation center about recent illnesses or travel.
If you are diagnosed with dengue shortly after donating blood, you should tell your blood donation center. This is rare but it can happen, particularly after traveling to areas with dengue risk. Follow the guidance provided by your healthcare provider and blood donation center.
Healthcare providers
Consider dengue in transfusion recipients with unexplained fever in appropriate epidemiologic contexts, such as during outbreaks.
Report suspected cases to your hospital transfusion service and report transfusion-related adverse events.
Suspected cases may also be reported to CDC via boots@cdc.gov and the National Healthcare Safety Network's hemovigilance module.
See CDC guidance on dengue diagnostic and testing for more information about clinical evaluation and testing.