The American Red Cross has announced new guidelines in its blood donation policy, due to the spread of the Zika virus.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Red Cross appealed to prospective blood donors to defer giving blood for 28 days if they have been in any country with Zika infection.
The American Red Cross, the largest blood collection organization in the US, said it is closely monitoring the spread of the Zika virus.
The news comes as the United States Food and Drug Administration considers changing its guidelines around blood donation, due to the virus that is primarily spread through mosquito infection, though isolated cases have been reported where it spreads through blood transfusion or sexual contact.
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus, which has been linked to a surge of birth defects in Brazil, a global health emergency.
UK guidelines
Meanwhile, the National Health Service in the UK has banned anyone returning from the Zika virus-affected region ofLatin America from giving blood in the month after their return.
Health officials said anyone returning to England, Scotland and Wales from the countries in South and Central America affected by the outbreak would not be allowed to donate blood for 28 days.
A spokeswoman for the NHS Blood and Transplant department said the safety of the supply was paramount.
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